How is it even possible that it’s time again to put up the Christmas tree, and start the merriment of another December?
This past week, as we began to unpack the bins that have been in storage since last year, my mind started to swirl with some wonderful thoughts.
The handling of ornaments of my childhood takes me back to a different living room of a different decade, with records playing Kenny Rogers’ Christmas album. Sweet, homemade kid art reminds me that not-so-long-ago, our children were a bit younger & smaller. And any decoration that was newly acquired last year, still holds some novelty as I find just the right spot to place it.
Out of all the pretty little things that have passed through my hands today, the most precious and sentimental of all is the little nativity set that Tim bought me early in our marriage. The ceramic figures are daintily painted and the stable is rustic and mossy, housing most of the figures. Pointing us past the Santas, the twinkle lights, and garland, this little nativity set does much more than bring around memories of years past.
God’s Spirit, rather than my mind, conjured up a deep reverence and thankfulness for God’s plan to show His love to all mankind. In a quiet moment, I offered up a prayer of thanks as I placed the figures carefully. Years ago, I read the saying, “If ‘thank you’ was the only prayer you ever prayed to God, that would be enough”. Have you also heard this?
I get it. “Thank you, for the Savior you sent, Lord.” This statement perhaps embodies the whole idea that Jesus died for us and rose again to conquer sin and death. This “thank you” is both acknowledgement and acceptance of His plan. But I have just two more words to be added to “thank you.”
“Use me.”
After all, that would be our prayer of thanks in action. You see, we could all say “thank you”, and mean it for the moment, then go on living the life we have planned, never to give pause or thought as to how God could change our trajectories. We could all believe in Christ, yet live in isolation, never really finding an outlet for the joy inside of us. Not one person would know the difference if Christ lives in us or not.
And shouldn’t they?
“Use me” enables us to live ultimately for His glory and no longer our own.
Matthew 5:16 reads, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” And John 3:30 reads, “He must become greater; I must become less.”
Recently in a YouTube sermon, I heard a pastor say, ”within 30 seconds of meeting us, a perfect stranger should be able to tell that you are a Christ-follower.” I whole-heartedly agree! If “thank you” & “use me” are our go-to prayers, our lives will simply ooze with love, kindness, joy, and gentleness.
The world, more now than ever, needs to see and hear all things Jesus, and you are just the person for the job, if you are willing to be used by Him. There could be no nobler use of your time, no higher calling to your life, and no better, genuine way to express your gratitude to our Father.
“Use us, God, however you see fit. With the talents and gifts you have given each one of us, let us not spend a lifetime wasting or hiding away so as to never bring another soul hope or joy. Use us with the people we are with, in the places we go, to be your love in the flesh. Let us put aside the selfish or perhaps, uncomfortable notions that live inside to further your kingdom. Use us for Your glory and not our own. May we most sincerely express our thanks to You by allowing You to use us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”🙏
Photo by Kelly Sikkema Unsplash.
