1 Timothy 1:14
Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.
December is a wonderful month to contemplate what it is like to carry Christ and know him so intimately? Mary willingly carried Him and extended a gift to mankind, a gift for all to carry Christ. As you move past Christmas and the celebration of the birth of the Savior, you must ask yourself, how do you carry your Savior? How do you bring him to the world?
Mary did so in its darkness, alone with Joseph, surrounded by animals, with wise men approaching. There were obstacles for her on the way to bringing Christ to the world. What obstacles get in your way of bringing Christ to the world? What has the enemy tried to home in on and constantly throw at you to stop you from bringing Christ to the world? Is it an ex-spouse? Is it a tough relationship with a child? Is it a coworker? Is it a deep seeded bitterness that you cannot get over? Whatever your obstacle is Christ is your answer.
You are called to bring Christ to the world unprepared and in not convenient circumstances? You are called to bring Him to the world in all locations? You are asked to be prepared to carry Him wherever He is needed. You do so in excitement and you do so in sadness. You do so when you are worn. No matter how you feel you must dig deep and carry Christ. You must put him in front of you, your needs and sadness. You do this, not for His sake, but for your own.
Mary understood the difficulty and pain of carrying Christ. You can understand Mary‘s pain as well, because you question sometimes the kindness of humanity. You question sometimes how others don’t choose the right direction, the loving act and how they don’t choose Christ. But again, you can have understanding of humanity because you are human as well. You fall. You make mistakes. You choose the wrong way. You deny. And you betray. There are many moments when you choose yourself over Christ. How do you deny Jesus for a want or something you have convinced yourself that you need?
The enemy wants you to deny Jesus. He tries to pull you away from the presence of Christ by getting you focused on you. He wants you to choose you over Christ. Choose stubbornness over being obedient. Choose pride over humility. The enemy wants to move you toward total self-absorption. He wants you unaware of who you carry. If the enemy can consume you with worry about your own needs and desires, he is able to distract you from the beauty that lives within you. He prevents you from tapping into a strength that allows you to extend love and grace to others. The enemy is well aware of what he is doing. He is attacking God’s army simultaneously. He wants you to question your Savior and rely solely on mankind for redemption.
God sent His son, so could have the chance to carry Him. He sent this King to you quietly. No large announcements. No lion’s roar. God sent Christ, and Christ lived softly and patiently waiting for His hour to come. His hour that brought His sacrifice for you. His commitment to you that opened the door to the possibility for you to carry Him. He was an earthly King without a throne. A child sent to redeem you.
Carry Him with grace. Carry Him with humbleness. Carry Him to rid yourself of stubbornness and pride. Carry Him in wonder and expectation. Carry Him knowing the immense sacrifice made for you. Carry Him knowing you are not alone.
Prayer
Father God,
Quietly and humbly You came to earth to bless me with Your presence. You dwell within me, providing immediate access to You, Your strength and Your love. Thank you for all You are and do. Thank you for being my earthly King. Forgive me for neglecting to truly appreciate your sacrifice and love. Forgive me for taking for granted Your presence. Help me to know You intimately. Guide me to accept what You desire and to appreciate all You do. May I always carry You wherever I go and do so with love, wonder and expectation.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
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