Getting Warmer

The past few weeks have been really interesting...and by interesting I mean downright cold!!  We have had lows here in the San Luis Valley of around -35 to -40 degrees, temperatures best observed from inside the house looking out or better yet Texas.  The reality of the weather set in as I attempted to let go of my truck door on a particularly "brisk" morning...my hand wasn't wet, I hadn't licked it recently, it was simply stuck.  After a few seconds my hand naturally released but not before flashbacks of "A Christmas Story" flashed through my mind, where firefighters and policemen gathered around me, pulling my hand off after counting "1-2-3!"  Too much imagination, I know. 

The cold temperatures have made me think of warm places however and a verse from Scripture has been particularly encouraging:  Jeremiah 20:9 states, "But if I say, "I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name," His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot."  Now obviously the context of these statements are very different than my current situation...Jeremiah the prophet was dealing with a devastating word from the Lord, one which he would rather contain but knew he could not.  It was a message of such import, such dramatic consequence, that to not say it...no, to not bellow this word to the people would be impossible.  The author is saying, "How could I contain the Word of the Lord?  My body would be consumed before I could ever keep from delivering a statement that concludes with "Thus saith the Lord!!" 

If you consider yourself a Follower of Christ today, then you can apply this message from Jeremiah.  The message you have is one which you are compelled to deliver:  "For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:5-6)  As a Follower of Christ, I have a message as critical as any message ever given in the history of mankind.  Jesus gives light...Jesus provides life.  Not life simply for after this physical existence fades but forever.  Jesus provides purpose and hope and potential where nothing else in this world ever can.  Jesus gives strength where we are weak, joy in the midst of any circumstance, love for the unloved (as well as to those who would consider themselves unlovable).  Jesus is Lord.

 

So today, I want to encourage you to consider Jesus...if you're already in a relationship with Him, take a minute to thank Him for who He is; if you don't really know Him but want to, just talk to Him and let Him know what you're feeling. Let the light of Christ warm you no matter how cold it is outside.  Let the brilliance of His fire consume you and may it encourage us all to step out just a little farther in our willingness to let others know about His love. 

I don't know about you but right now I'm starting to feel just a little bit warmer...