More Good News
HOLD UP! Christmas isn’t over so carry on with the good tidings, joy to the world and embracing this holiest of times of the year — actually right on through into the new year. That’s because the wise men haven’t shown up yet. Yes, it’s a sweet add-on to our manger scenes when we see the magi worshipping the newborn king. But, according to scripture, it could have been 12 days, 40 days or not until Jesus was two years old at their family home that the magi showed up and presented their best gifts.
It took courage for the magi to defy Herod’s orders to find the newborn king and report back to him. But perhaps the “Do not be afraid” words from Gabriel to Mary and Joseph and the shepherds, was already in the DNA of those wise men. They encountered the Baby King and it seems everything changed in their hearts. I seem to have repeated “Do not be afraid” in my blogs many times during this season. I’m on good ground because those are words God said many times to humanity throughout history.
Why is it His message so often? Because He knows His children. He knows we are prone to fear, but He wants us to be prone to courage. He understands the “What do I do now?” or “How can this be?” questions that come up in our lives. But I’m done with fear. Done. Done. Done. I’m laying my fears down at Jesus feet and not going to take them back. I know God keeps repeating those “Do not fear” words because He wants us to get it! He knows our fears hold us back from whatever He is calling us to do.
I love the song “Oh, come to the altar. The Father’s arms are open wide. Forgiveness was bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.” In that song, “The Father’s arms are open wide” is a promise for us to lay down EVERYTHING, especially our fears at His feet – at the altar. At the front of almost every church, there are altars that signify the place of offering everything we are and everything we have to God. But right here, where we are right now, we can “come to the altar”.
I’m packaging up my fears and laying them down at the altar — that place of forgiveness and transformation. I’m placing my children on the altar. I’m placing my concerns, my fears, and my mistakes on the altar. Then I trust God to transform me into being courageous, powerful, and faith-filled — day in AND day out.
Do you have some things to place on the altar, too? Join me there and surrender it all to God — knowing He promises to take care of you and all that concerns you. Ask Him to show you if there is anything you can do and leave the rest of the mess — the worries, the fears, the hurts, the confusion, the unrest to Him. See yourself running to the altar and giving it all up. The Father’s arms are open wide!