God has
been challenging my faith through reading a book called “Radical” by David Platt.
The basics
of the book are about taking back your faith from the American Dream.
The
American Dream of having a nice house, nice things, nice car, nice job, etc.
BUT
What does
this really lead to?
Materialism.
Having
everything we need or want at our fingertips.
It leads
us to wanting more and not being fulfilled with all that God has already
blessed us with.
This leads
to us wanting MORE.
Why do we need more?
All we need is
Jesus.
We don’t
need the things of this world.
BUT
We want
them.
Why don’t we
live radically different lives for Jesus?
Why don’t
we take abandon the American dream?
Why don’t we
make a statement for who Jesus is here in our society?
Why don’t
we abandon what America thinks life is all about?
Why don’t we
make Christmas about Jesus and not about gifts?
Why don’t
we abandon our wants and desires and serve as He did?
Why don’t we
share Jesus with those around us?
Why don’t
we give gifts to others rather than just wanting more for ourselves?
Why must we be
a society about me, me, ME?
What if we
spent 2 hours serving those in a nursing home on Christmas?
What if we
made food for the homeless for Christmas?
What if we
gave gifts to the poor family next door?
What if we
went to the needy around us?
What if we
lived radically different lives from those around us?
Yes, we
all like to get and give gifts, but let’s change it up.
Heck, I even
enjoy gifts and presents.
BUT
What if we
became a society that abandoned the “American dream?”
What if we
became a society that was looking to serve those around us?
What if we
became a society that abandoned our earthly possessions for Jesus?
What if we
literally sold all of our things to bring Jesus to the nations?
What if we
lived a life that was not about what we had, but what we do for Him?
What if we
shared Jesus with the person next to us in the line at the grocery store?
What if we
shared Jesus with our coworker that we see over 40 hours a week?
What if we
acted like Jesus so much that people would question our joy?
What if we
loved others so much that people would desire the love that we have?
What if we
lived radically different lives for Him?
What could
we do if we realized the Holy Spirit dwells in us?
What if we
took the Gospel to the ends of the earth?
What if we
got on our knees to pray prayers and having faith that He will answer them?
If we do these
things, we will experience Jesus in a new way.
If we do
these things, that we will become more like Jesus.
If we do these
things, God is going to use us more than we ever thought.
If we do
these things, we will be the ones to give hope to those around us.
If we do these
things, we are going to bring the Kingdom of God to planet earth.
Let’s remember that this season of family and
gifts is really about Jesus.
Let’s remember that God brought us His Son to save
us from ourselves.
Let’s remember that the price has been paid
for our sins through His death.
Let’s remember that Christ was born on this day to
save the world.
Let’s remember that Christmas is about CHRIST.
