A Season for Change, in Me..

As we enter into the changing of the season, I can sense it is a season of need. And as the coldness of winter creeps into my view, I am reminded of the frailty of life by the fading colors once so vibrant all around me. This is typically a time of withdrawal from some of the busyness of life as the cooler temperatures usher us indoors. The leaves begin to fall away from what once were luscious, green landscapes, the flowers fade, and the birds don’t sing quite as merrily as they do in the spring. Around this time, I can tend to start to move indoors and embody a form of hibernation of my own, a cocoon of sorts away from the world. In doing this, I cut myself off from the fellowship of others. In consideration of the scriptures, though, let me not retreat for the coming months but be a source of warmth to those around me. There are great needs in the community around me and a great many worthy causes that could use not only our money but our energies. Let me be challenged to carry the light of Christ to those that are homeless, fatherless, and alone. Sometimes, I step outside on a chilly night and take in the coldness of it. I imagine if I could not escape back into the warmth of my home. This is how the homeless live around us. They have no warmth to escape to and it breaks my heart. Also, I try to imagine being alone for the holidays and what a blessing it would be to feel included. These are the fatherless and the alone. In a similar vein, let me also bring that attitude of consideration to work that is such a blessing to those around me in order to foster that sense of community we all enjoy so much. Considering all this, it seems like a tall order to just give and give in life, but I’m sure you know from experience that we’ve never looked back and regretted giving of ourrselves out of love for those without.  I’ve regretted not giving more of myself, but never giving less.

James 2 explains so well how faith without works is dead. Please read it to better understand this devotional. Truly faith without works is as dead as the winter appears, but just as a small candle can light up a dark room, the love of Christ radiating through you can provide more warmth to a cold soul than a thousand fires and more hope to a lonely heart than the dearest friend. Christ is at the very center of our faith and I hope to display Him that he may be honored and glorified above all. Let me remember this during this difficult season. My time and presence is much more valuable than my donations and gifts. A dollar bill doesn't carry nearly the same weight as my presence with someone when their heart is broken or they have a need.  Why, I can't think of anytime in the Bible when Christ did not minister to someone in person when he ministered.

Please, if you have any suggestions as to how to minister to people during this season, share them in the comments section below! Maybe you will inspire someone or me!

Prayer: Lord, please open my eyes to the needs of this world. Help me to learn that to truly worship you is to love others more than myself that they may see you in me. I pray that whatever I do, I remember that you alone are to be glorified. Thank you Father for putting this heart within me, now please help me to use it for the furtherance of your kingdom.