 Small World
I’m sure we have all seen the film bearing the same name as this blog post. The protagonist George Bailey is broken and discouraged by the hard realities of life as he is experiencing it and contemplates if his life really matters at all. In this fanciful tale a bumbling cherub guides George to discover just how impactful and beautiful his life truly has been. The story is heartwarming as it helps us to realize that our perception of reality is only partial. This means that so much more is happening than what we perceive. Of course, this film is no place to look for gaining a biblical understanding of theology, sovereignty, or angels; but it does push us to seek out blessings that we may not have already noticed. I will not go into details, but in our church just today I believe we have the full range of human experiences happening all at the same time. From beginnings to endings and from joy to grief even in our small church God is bringing about His providential will. This should encourage us that there is real hope available for us even when we are overwhelmed with circumstances or feel like we are drowning in stress. Season’s Sorrows I love this time of year! I am not a Grinch when it comes to Christmas time, but we also must admit that most of us live pretty hectic, even stress-filled lives all the time and this season can add to those pressures. The point I am making is that we are not immune to the time or the taxing demands that fill every 24 hours that we have been allotted. I know that we have all seen the statistics that this is a time when people struggle mentally and emotionally. People are genuinely struggling during this season with more than just budgets and calendars, but also with expectations of what life and relationship should or could have been. Sometimes these hardships and hurts are magnified by the sense that we might have that everything is going so well for everyone else. Because this is the case each one of us is in danger of being deceived by the lights and decorations. There is a veneer of perfection that people even unconsciously will try to display. This is not just during the holiday season but it can be especially relevant during a time when the cultural expectation of glad tidings and good cheer are at the highest. Because this is the case we must as believers labor to look to Christ and cultivate a true sense of awe and wonder at the greatest gift provided for us in the coming of the Lord Jesus that first Christmas day. Surpassing Splendor The Apostle Paul knows this kind of struggle. However, this man of God, while completely appreciating the hardship and pain, also found the sufficient grace, new mercies, and steadfast love of Christ enough to encourage his soul and strengthen his heart. Paul says that even though they are afflicted they are not crushed. He also says that even though they are perplexed they are not driven to despair (2 Corinthians 4:7-18). How can this be? How can Paul, who suffered so greatly for his witness and testimony for the Lord, not be crushed and destroyed? The answer is that Paul had the right perspective! First, Paul had the perspective of faith. He says that he and the other believers believed and so they spoke. Without this perspective of faith they would have been overcome by just what they could see with their eyes and understand from their circumstances but by faith he believed and so he was able to speak and bear witness for Jesus. Second Paul also had the perspective of grace and gratitude. He wants the grace of Christ to extend to more and more people so that thanksgiving will abound to the one who is worthy to receive them. Finally, Paul has his perspective set on eternal glory. Because of this, Paul can see beyond the present temporal pain to the eternal weight of glory that is available in Christ Jesus! As we approach Christmas, let us look to the glory of the day. It points beyond the manger to the cross, beyond the cross to the empty tomb, and beyond the empty to Christ’s glorious eternal throne!
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