The Problem with the Gospel is NOT the Gospel. How can good news be a problem? Good news is a problem when we are unprepared or unwilling to accept the news as ‘good.’ It is ironic but the more I wander and read what folks are writing the more this idea is proven and confirmed in my heart. Many are still trying to mould the good news of Jesus Christ into our own human and limited image. Viewing the Story and the Author of that story through our own dirty lense. We apply our opinions, our hurt, our biases and everything else to God. We bring Him down to our level and of course the magic, the beauty the wonder of it all simply fades. The glory and awesomeness of the story is lost in our own abridged and twisted versions.
One of the messages from my pastor over December spoke a little about this. Somewhat indirectly but it did talk about recapturing the glory and awesomeness of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Think back to when you were a child in December. There was a sense of wonder, awe, amazement and mystery in our minds as we thought about Christmas and the legend of Santa Claus. Our culture works hard to cultivate that sense of wonder and they call it the “Magic of Christmas”. As we grow older we lose this sense of anticipation and excitement when we realize that the story of Santa isn’t true. The tragedy is that for many people the same thing happens when we think of the real Christmas Story and the birth of Jesus. It is a story filled with miracles, signs and wonders and yet for many the sense that this miracle working God could perform any of those miracles today seems to fade in our lives. The sense of wonder, awe and anticipation and miraculous possibilities of the Christmas story have given way to the focus, cares and concerns for this life. How can we recapture the sense of wonder and awe of the Christmas story?
Go here to listen to the message: The Magi of Christmas
This message was part of my own journey as God prepares for 2o12. In the weeks leading to this message there was a strong sense from God about gratitude and beauty. To be grateful in all things… and to understand that beauty is found only in Him. I can appreciate and enjoy all things under all circumstances only in Him and through Him. His Story becomes my story. His Good News is my good news. His meaning and purpose become mine as I gain meaning and purpose in my life.
As we change our perspective and rid ourselves of those things that hold us back from Him … then we no longer see problems with the Gospel … because we recognize that all along we were the ones with the problem.
(I realize I am all over the place here… but I am trying to catch up and in some strange way it does make sense to me)
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. But I definitely feel the hand of God doing something in my heart and life. Like a preparation for the year ahead. It is as is if I am to deal with some ‘housecleaning’ items so the path will become clearer. There are little things that are not so little and that need to be taken care of. If I tried to explain what some of those seemingly insignificant things are you would probabably be surprised and think that I am mot likely mistaken. That I am taking action on things that are so small that are not important for the Lord.
