by Jeannie Churchill
Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
When I was a teenager, many moons ago ? I heard an evangelist preach a Christmas message entitled, “If He Hadn’t Come” He read excerpts from the classic Christmas book by the same title. I was captivated. The thought had never occurred to me. What would this world and my life be like if Jesus had not come to redeem it? Every day the rest of December, I wrote down what in my life or in the world would be different if my Saviour hadn’t come. Needless to say, after that I was filled with a new sense of gratitude at the changes my Jesus made in my life by His sacrifice.
This time of year gets so hectic with Christmas parties, shopping, baking, wrapping presents (A tradition that I think needs to be put to rest. What about gift bags? There’s a thought that I think needs to catch on! ?) Along with all the other duties of our everyday lives that sometimes we forget to stop and think about the reason for the season. I know everyone reading this is a Christian and we know that this holiday is about Christ. But do we stop and take time to really think about what He’s done for us and then praise and worship Him for it?
Recently, I have come to realize that I am a little intimidated about praising and worshipping God. It’s not that I don’t want to or can’t think of anything to thank Him for. Rather, it’s a very true sense of inferiority. When I read the psalms of David and Asaph with their perfect, poetic and eloquent words praising our God, I think “Why in the world would God want to hear a little nobody like me worship Him?” I’m not eloquent. My grasp of the English language is abysmal. My family can verify that I mispronounce and butcher words. I am definitely not a scholar. My hillbilly roots run deep. Because of this inferiority complex, I would thank God for what He’s done and try to praise Him a little, but I wouldn’t put a lot of effort into worshipping Him.
Recently, I was reading a devotional about the importance of worshipping God and the same thoughts were playing over again in my head. Then it hit me like a ton of Himalayan Sea salt. God doesn’t care one iota how eloquent I am. He knows I am a filthy rag. (Isa. 64:6) I could never even try to come close to conveying how wonderful and holy my Saviour is. But He still wants me to worship Him. He doesn’t care that I am woefully inadequate at telling Him just how much He means to me. When my 3-year-old daughter throws her arms around my neck and says enthusiastically, “I love you, Mommy!” it warms my heart. As I comfort my 9-month-old baby girl and she lays her head on my shoulder. I don’t need her to fervently articulate the many ways she appreciates me. I know my children love me just by those simple words and actions because they’re from the heart.
In God’s eyes, in MANY ways I’m sure I’m just like a baby or toddler. Yet, He wants to hear me praise Him. (Ps. 22:3) He is worthy of my worship. (Ps. 150:2) When I thank Him and praise Him from the heart, He loves it. I will be happier if I praise him. (Psalm 144:15)
I would like to encourage you this week, to take a couple days and write down some ways your life would be different if He hadn’t come. Praise Him for it. Meditate on Him. If you have young kids like me, you might not have a lot of time to dedicate to devotions. I give what I can to God and try to remain mindfully aware of Him all day. I know that God knows where I’m at and He is pleased when I do my best and give what I can. God knows where you are at. He understands your thinking, background, personality, EVERYTHING. Don’t miss out on the blessings that come from acknowledging how wonderful He truly is. (Ps. 66:16-20) He wants to hear you praise Him for what’s He has done in your life.
Take a little time this week to love on the Lord. He already loves us and shows it to us on a daily basis (if we take the time to look). Our Heavenly Father knows our heart and appreciates it when we acknowledge His goodness in our lives.
“For God so loved the world that He gave…” What would your world look like if he hadn’t?
