CHOOSE TO BELIEVE


I received a present today. Not shocking after all it is Christmas. I reached in the bag and pulled out a large item and tore the tissue paper it was wrapped in. I got a peek of what was inside and my heart leaped and swelled with affection. You may think such a heart warming gift was from my husband or children, but it wasn't. It was from a sweet young lady who has become connected to my heart. I have had the unique opportunity of mentoring four teenage girls for over two years now. Each one has become special and dear to me. This gift from one was a beautiful picture frame with four pictures in it. In those pictures were all five of us. Sweet tears ran down my cheeks as I remembered each picture. I knew where each one was taken, the occasion and the unique place in life each girl was in. It was as if I was staring at my very heart and it was smiling back at me. I had given those precious girls my heart long ago and over time each one has given me theirs.

Then my heart turned from gladness to heartache. My tears became ugly instead of sweet. Eric is no longer the Student Minister and it is no secret that this change in our life has been hard on me. I know longer see those precious girls three to four times a week. They are very much still a part of my life. It is just different and change is hard. I know God is in this change in our life one hundred percent. However, I looked at that picture frame then lifted my face and asked God "but isn't this a good thing?" I headr him whisper sweetly, "Yes, but I have so much more for you to do."  So even though one door is closing and I am waiting for the other to open I choose to believe. I have a choice to believe God or allow my emotions to rule me. I have a choice to question God or believe God.

Do I believe God is in control? Of course but it is not always easy when life comes at you from all directions.

Do I believe God loves me? With out a doubt. However when change leaves me feeling lonely and confused it is difficult.

We have to choose to believe. Look at Joseph his life was going the way every good Jewish boys life should go. He was pledged to be married, had a job so he could support his new wife and soon to be children and then life threw him a curve ball. Mary was already with child. This is not what he had planned and he was going to divorce her quietly. Then an angel appeared to Joseph and reassured him that the baby was from the Lord. The angel told him not to be afraid and take Mary as his wife. (Matthew 1:18-21) Joseph chose to believe and my all the blessings that came from that choice of belief. I am sure you can argue who wouldn't believe if and angel came and told you what to do. I would say we have the Bible, God's words to us and we still choose not to believe them everyday.

Mary chose to believe. Joseph chose to believe. This Christmas as I celebrate the birth of my Savior I chose to believe.

I will choose to believe; Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

I will choose to believe; He is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or even imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)

I will choose to believe; God is always faithful.

I will choose to believe; He works all things out for good. (Romans 8:28)

Will you choose to believe? Choose to believe that Jesus was born not only to save us from our sins but to set us free from anything that entangles us. (John 8:32)

This Christmas let us choose to believe and not be afraid.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:8-11

We do not need to be afraid to believe because the good news of Jesus Christ has come. He has come to ALL people and brings us great joy. No matter what is happening in our life we have great joy in Jesus if we just choose to believe.