Christian Living

A Christmas Meditation

by Dr. Henderson Ward
12/23/16
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Lord, as I meditate on this prayer, some thoughts come to mind.

Lord, what does it mean to trust you, to have faith in you to the extent that I’m willing to set aside my preferences, although they seem right, and adopt yours, even when the wisdom of doing so seems questionable? Am I lacking in spiritual maturity when I find that my mind is in conflict with my heart when some things are required of me? What do I need to do, as I progress in my spiritual journey, to be comfortable with all your demands each and every day?

Lord, is it true that you would not have asked just any believer, someone like me for example, to do what you asked of Philip as recorded in Acts thus, “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.” (Acts 8:26).

Lord, you know that some of us, genuine as we are in our commitment, loyalty and love, would have put up a stiff resistance to such a command. We would be primed to go to the towns and villages, even the highways and byways, and seek converts for you, but to go in the desert to seek converts, roaming in the arid sands and snake ridden, rodent infested, desolate wasteland would be asking too much.

Lord, why is my attitude a bit more like Jonah’s, who, although he wanted to save souls, yet had a disdain for some whom he regarded as unworthy?

Lord, Philip went willingly and with abundant enthusiasm. He accomplished exactly what you had planned, and as we say, the rest is history. Jonah also went, eventually, after much protestation, and bitterness, and monumental reluctance, but he also accomplished exactly what you had planned.

Lord, is it not true, that your will for souls seeking your salvation, will always be done, that every genuine seeker will be accommodated, but in the process, you need us, believers in Christ, to do our part in this ministry of reconciliation?

Lord, as I think about these matters, it seems to me that you have laid on our shoulders an enormous task, an awesome responsibility, a duty of care which for some will be lacking, and for others not fully appreciated and undertaken in the right spirit.

Lord, a willingness to do your will is often neither matched with the blessed assurance that we will be able to comply, nor the confidence that our attempt will accomplish exactly what you planned.

Lord, I am suddenly reminded of a pivotal scripture in this regard. A scripture that gets to the heart of the matter, and gives us some important truths: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Lord, I get it, the three important steps in accomplishing your will, for getting it right, for a successful, spiritual journey going forward, to be blessed by you in our every endeavour. And so, in the name of Jesus, I pray:

Lord, I thank you that at this Christmas time I have enough to satisfy my needs, and the needs of my family, and my friends all have enough and to spare. Please help me to remember those who are lacking, and to do what I can to bring the true meaning of Christmas to them. Help me to trust you that any material help I give, any sacrifice I make, will be from a heart of true compassion and care, and that you will continue to “ supply all my need according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Lord, I further ask, that you help me to understand and appreciate that there are other good people all around me who may have cultural and ethnic differences, but they are still very much your children, and in need of your love and compassion. Please help me, inspite of my flawed understanding, to be the example Paul spoke about when he said, “...but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

Lord, I have my ways, and in truth, Lord, I confess I feel comfortable sticking with them. But I know that my ways are a result of my upbringing, my culture, my associates and friends and not necessarily all approved by you. Please help me going forward not to be a hindrance to your will, not to be so attached to my ways and inflexible that I can’t yield to your every command and wish. Assure me, and all your children, that it is not grievous to do your will as long as we constantly put you first.

Lord, I so desperately wish for my life to be one of service, for all my ways to be directed by you, that I would not only be a blessing to my immediate circle, but to whomever my life may touch, and by so doing, convey to them a sense of the ineffable beauty, love, and compassion that is found only in Jesus Christ our saviour.

Lord, I thank you for hearing my prayer, and I trust that you will make this Christmas memorable for all your children, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Enough said.

Books by this author you may wish to read.

THINGS EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD KNOW (e-book)
Volume 1 – Five tough facts to be faced
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004YX5NSI

STAND UP TO THE DEVIL  (e-book)
Volume 1 – You must first identify him
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BQVLSS

BASTARD: A STORY OF REDEMPTION(e-book fiction)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006OF3SD6

ONE MINUTE TO MIDNIGHT ON GOD’S CLOCK (Hard copy)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002X78D16

ONE MINUTE TO MIDNIGHT ON GOD’S CLOCK (e-book)

http://tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60799-630-9