Christmas 2011 - Packing
up
It’s so close! It doesn’t seem like
time has passed at all since Patti and I put our prayers and commitment out to
make a journey to Israel. And now everything is in place except for one last
detail – packing. What do we bring along,
what do we leave behind? What will we need when we get there, what will be
provided for us?
And that got me to thinking about
the 400 year period between the last of the prophetic writings of the Old
Testament and the New. People were hungry
for an answer to their prayers regarding the revealing of a Savior. Then, like
now (for Patti and me), we try to anticipate the future of God’s plan instead
of just living as He desires us to, for the moment – in awe and obedience.
Hmmm, it would be easier if it was
just about stuffing a few clothes and conveniences into a suitcase, but how do
I pack awe, how do I fit obedience into my “carry on?” Then it came to me.
We’re not being asked to bring anything to wear or put on (Not to worry, we’ll
definitely travel with a wardrobe – don’t want to make those kind of
headlines!). But I perceive the need to bring along a different kind of luggage
packed with some things most of us would rather leave behind, safely stowed
away in our darkest closets. It’s the
kind of baggage we use in which to hide our faults and the imperfections of our
humanity.
Man’s wisdom – God’s foolishness.
He would have me port along all of my proverbial dirty laundry and wear it
willingly on our venture. The intent is not to brag about my shortcomings, as
some sort of faulty creature (though that I certainly am), but to allow the
opportunity to show God’s grace in action.
Revealing this part of my wardrobe to a foreign land will also require
me to bring a few other necessities along – humility, confession, repentance –
things I’m tempted to leave at home on most days, things He’s now asking me to
boldly share with others.
And what could possibly be gained
by such an embarrassing display? Maybe, just maybe, when we arrive in The
Promised Land of Israel, some people there will look past my supposed American
arrogance and see something amazing underneath – the Love of my Savior, Jesus.
Maybe, just maybe enough of my Master will be revealed in me that it might
inspire others to share their baggage with me and ultimately with Him. Maybe.
And that brings up the subject of
Christmas. “What?” You say, “What in the world does this have to do with
Christmas?” Instead of just a typical Christmas letter, Patti and I would like
to share a different gift . We would like to take a part of you to Israel with
us. What better way to share with the world than for us to carry your specific
prayers and well wishes with us? Maybe, just maybe, your prayers, yours
concerns…hmmm, maybe even your confessions need to be heard and witnessed just
as Peter suggested in his letters to early New Testament believers.
So, simple as that, help us share
Christmas this year by emailing us back a message that you would like carried
personally to the Holy Land. Whatever it may be, pray about it and send it with
love – we’ll do the rest. But do it soon – we still have a lot of packing to do
and we want to save plenty of room for your contributions.
In the meantime, we also want to
share our gratefulness for the blessings God has bestowed on us this year. Shay
is thriving in her last year at collage at UT Martin. Nate graduated from the
Web Design program he was attending and immediately got a fabulous job in his
preferred career. Ash got a raise at
work and now Nate and she are able to spend more time together (Yay!). Erik is
coming at the end of December to visit and continues to do amazing work in
Korea in his chosen field of digital public relations. We made a trip to see
Patti’s folks in South Dakota and we continue to be provided for with good
jobs, health and great friends.
What challenges present themselves
are never above the capabilities of our God to provide solutions, including
putting in our lives, all of you who have supported us in our dream to go to
Israel. We give thanks to Him for our family and for you. What an amazing life
He has provided for us.
May your Christmas and the New Year
to come be filled with hope and good will for your family and for all who seek
a greater understanding of creation and its Creator.
Shalom,
Mark & Patti
No comments:
Post a Comment