Dear Lighthouse

 

            I’m sick of Christmas music.  There I said it.  I know this comes as a near abomination to some of you, Julie included, but I’m sick of it.  ‘Tis the season though, right?  Well, by this point in the season my ears are aching from hearing the same old songs over and over.  Oh well, I guess I’ll make it. 

Don’t get me wrong, the message found in some of those Christmas songs is excellent - Jesus’ birth and His role as Savior cannot be over-espoused.  During this time of year it seems like it is so much easier to talk about Christ and literally sing His praises in public.  People tend to ‘cut you slack’ for being a believing Christian during Christmas.  It makes sense.  When people are forced to think about it they will yield to the fact that we are indeed celebrating the God of the Bible and His Son.  But what impact does this make long term?

I want to share a lengthy passage from II Timothy 4:2-5 with you:

 

“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage -- with great patience and careful instruction.  For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.  But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

 

            I’m struck by the number of people who celebrate Christmas without celebrating the Christ.  I’m also struck by the number of Christians who speak of Christ only during Christmas and then fade into the world just like the seasonal music fades from the radio and TV.  Why is this so?  Perhaps it is because we fail to preach the Word in our lives in season and out of season.  Examine your own life for a moment.  Are you demonstrating your convictions, your beliefs, your faith throughout the year and in all situations?

            I know most of you are doing this.  However, it is sobering to think about the number of people that lead this kind of double life.  I just finished up watching Survivor.  I know, I know, I’m ashamed to admit it.  (I’m probably not scoring many points with you in this letter!)  But the show is an amazing insight into human behavior and rationalization.  Several competitors in the game have no moral compunction about lying, cheating, pressuring, and hurting other players if it is all in the context of the game.  They claim they should not be judged for behaving one way on the island because they are good persons in ‘real life’.  Isn’t that interesting?

            Do you lead a double life before your God?  Do you behave differently at work than at Church?  How about at home?  How about when you are alone with no one to observe you?  How about on the Internet?  These situations and places are all embedded in the context of life and your walk before God.  God expects you to keep your head in all situations and struggle to live up to His standard of perfection that He has set before each of us.

            Is it easy to live a life that submits to the Lordship of Christ?  Certainly not.  But you must be willing to endure the hardship, do the work, and carry out the duties God has given you while on Earth.  The prize in Survivor is a million dollars and there is only one winner.  In the contest of life everyone can win and the prize is eternal life.  Are you sacrificing the best for the temporary?  Are you willing, like so many are, to turn aside from the truth to satisfy your own desires?  If you are you are giving up your crown in Heaven and in danger of Hell.  Unlike Survivor, this is no trivial game.  This is your opportunity to be effective for God.  (Check out I Cor. 9:24-27)

            So, during this Christmas season I do encourage you to celebrate Christ.  I encourage you to speak out for His Name and live a good example before men.  Then, I encourage you to do the same thing in January, February, March, etc.  Further, I encourage you to get prepared by joining in the reading of the New Testament in 2004 and staying connected by participating in 4X4 Fellowship this year.  These are excellent ways to keep your purpose and joyful celebration in perspective.  For a time will come when men will celebrate the downfall of God.  They will again rise up and kill His prophets and servants.  Read the scene in Revelation 11:10:

 

“The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them (the two prophets) and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth (by testifying of God).”

 

            A day will come when this God-less celebration will be held in our world.  Could it be a Christmas without Christ?  Could it be a year in which those of us with the Truth fail to ever share it with those around us?  There will be no Christmas music on that day. 

            Maybe I do appreciate Christmas music after all.

 

            Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage -- with great patience and careful instruction.

           

            Praise God!