“I have loved you with an everlasting love; with my unfailing love I have drawn you to myself …” Jeremiah 31:3
What Jesus came to do, to seek and to save that which was lost, we do, and we are beyond privileged to be included in the undertaking. Now … how?
First, we make sure we know how GOD feels about them, what He has for them, and how greatly we are held responsible to join in His compassion and the powerful effects of Jesus’ resurrection. This Advent season really lends itself to the sharing of the love of God, and not that we aren’t on point every day, but all that “Glory in the Highest” music playing in the background, works.
The way Christmas touches hearts is valid, even those several sizes too small, and the way broken hearts hurt worse at Christmas, all of these align in favor of the one who loves others, the one who can’t keep good news to himself. What’s more, when our hearts are full of Noel, as long as we stay sensitive to those we meet, we are in our best witnessing place. We do have tribulation, as do they, but we do have joy, too, and when it shows on the inside, it is nearly irresistible.
And … Christmas is such a terrific excuse for inviting little lost lambs to graze at our tables and find pasture in our friendship.
Jesus saw sheep scattered, and so do we when we look around. Some are gathered and returned, some must be sought and brought near to the love of God for the first time.
All have something written about them in the Word of the Lord, something the Lord has said relative to their isolation, their denigration, the infiltration of darkness into their lives, their souls.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; with my unfailing love I have drawn you to myself …” Jeremiah 31:3
Lord God, this is JUST how you feel toward those I love with the love of the Lord Jesus Christ, the little lambs in my care. In your amazing un-failing-ness, both draw them and give them all grace to be brought near, to see You as You are, to hear Your Voice, to believe, to turn and be healed. In Jesus’ name … Yes, in Jesus’ Name! I ask it. Amen.
Nevit Dilman, by permission, Wikipedia