Day 3 - You're Not Alone

Who we are is not nearly as important as Who We will become. We are not living today without a sense of our past, but it is not the past that "must" frame our lives - as if to say that we have "always been such and such" therefore we will always continue to be that.
One of the beautiful things about being a Christian is that I believe God is present in my world, and that he "manifests" that presence from time to time, just to make it clear that I am not alone.

In Advent, we see that very clearly. Take the story at the beginning in Luke's gospel: Luke 1:1-7 (NIV)
1:1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,
2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.
6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly.
7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.
Zechariah appears to be a rather "hidden" priest in Israel's history. Scripture records the name Zechariah over 30 times, so his name doesn't stand out. But his name means something = "Yahweh Remembers". The beginning of Advent is with God... Remembering...Zechariah...Insignificant...Elizabeth...a wife...Both of them good people of faith...but unable to have a child.
The scripture has several stories of impossible situations like this. Perhaps the most amazing is Abraham, who at 99 years of age hears the word from God, "...and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Genesis 12:3
It's God's way of saying to Abraham, "You have no idea of what I can do through a person, even if they don't think they are anything at all."
Zechariah and Elizabeth begin the story of Christmas in Luke's gospel. They appear to be no-bodies, unnoticed...maybe even looked down upon because they couldn't, seemingly, have a child. But God knew, and God remembered, and God entered in...and when God is involved that changes everything.

So, on this Advent day, let's remind ourselves: "I am not alone". No matter where my life is at, no matter how difficult the days may be, and there will always be times of great concern and struggle, even suffering...I am not alone!

"Lord, remind me today of your presence. Help me to see you in my life, and in the lives of others. I am concerned this day for ___________________. Please help me/help them. Yet, I will say today...I trust you Lord. I love that you are a God of goodness and grace, and that my life counts before you...thank you Lord, Amen."

ACTION: I just saw a Christmas Movie (yeah, I'm a sucker for Christmas movies) about a guy in the military who receives a Christmas Card from someone he doesn't know, who writes just to say "thank you" for serving our country and for making a difference over there. This morning I ran across an article that Linda showed me and think it's a great Advent idea. It's a story about Amy Grant, who is a spokesperson for the Red Cross' Holiday Mail for Heroes program, which distributes holiday letters and cards to troops and wounded veterans all over the world. The link to the site is at: http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.53fabf6cc033f17a2b1ecfbf43181aa0/?vgnextoid=3f8dab0de3d64210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD
The address is on that site and it's a great way of reminding the guys and gals overseas serving our country in the military that they are not alone either.