Freely Giving What We Cannot Buy

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10, 11 (NIV)

What was it again that the angels brought to the shepherds that first Christmas Eve? New sandals? New staffs? New robes? No, they brought none of these, not even a t-shirt to commemorate the occasion. To the shepherds, the angels unveiled something of far greater value than anything money could buy—the Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord, the One promised through the ages and now with us for eternity.

Two thousand years later, we still celebrate Christmas by giving and receiving gifts. It can be a season of surprise and joy, and it can just as easily be a time of disappointment, such as when we can’t afford to buy what we want to give or when our gift goes unappreciated. But have you ever noticed that the best gifts we ever receive are the intangible ones that touch us inside? They show up as acts of kindness and expressions of goodness, and they often come when we most need them and least expect them. It’s the genuine smile igniting in our heart the warm glow that spreads, in turn, across our own face. It’s the beautiful tone of the encouraging word that sets our soul to song. It may be the unexpected deed of a stranger or the dependable help of a neighbor that restores our depleted supply of hope. Like the announcement of the angels, these acts of love cannot be bought, but only given; they are free, yet also priceless.

There is something curious, yet consistent, about these intangible gifts of the soul: we cannot contain them; they overflow from the inside out, and we eagerly give them away almost as quickly as we receive them. Isn’t it true, for instance, that we love others most freely when someone has done something loving for us? Don’t we give most generously after someone else has first selflessly given to us? Aren’t we most inclined to offer encouragement when we’ve been uplifted by the affirming words of another? And when are we ever more forgiving than when someone has forgiven us for our own mistakes?

This is the gift of Christmas. Jesus, the Son of God, came to take upon Himself the punishment for all our sins; He loves us that much. God calls us to draw near to Him and to live life in His presence with confidence and joy; He forgives us that much. When we trust in His forgiveness of us—and in His love for us—we are free to flourish in life, free of guilt, free of shame, free of fear; we are encouraged. And as we experience in ourselves the love, forgiveness, and confidence we receive from God, it is then that we freely give these same priceless gifts to others who journey this life with us and all around us. There is nothing people need more than these, and it costs us nothing to give them.

This Christmas, enjoy the meal, and enjoy the gifts, including the most valuable ones—the ones we cannot see, yet treasure the most.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Christ in me is freedom.

Doing the Most Good

I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart. (Psalm 40:8)

For over 10 years, I have had the privilege of serving on The Salvation Army (TSA) Columbus Area Services’ advisory board. Today, I’d like to use this space to share with you some of the reasons I’ve come to love this organization and its people.

1. TSA’s mission statement doesn’t just hang on their building’s walls, it is plastered on their people’s hearts; it drives everything they do. Its mission is "to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.”
2. Eighty-five cents out of every  dollar contributed to TSA goes to meet human needs. Speaking at our annual fund raiser, retired astronaut and U.S. senator John Glenn recalled that his father used to say, “The Salvation Army gets more out of a dollar than anyone else.” His dad was right.
3. Management guru Peter Drucker declared TSA to be “the most effective organization in the U.S.” I can tell you first-hand that these folks are focused on—and exceptional at—what they do.
4. The Salvation Army is there 24/7, year-around. Some organizations are appropriately designed to engage the community during an emergency and then move on. TSA is designed to stay; they are always there to support and serve the hurting. 
5. Here are some of TSA’s services: food pantries, housing, after-school tutoring, anti-human trafficking case management, emergency disaster relief, and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. People often say to me, “I never knew The Salvation Army did so much.”
6. Rather than foster a permanent dependency, TSA moves people down a path to independence, believing each person has innate strengths and capabilities that can be mobilized to facilitate change in their lives.
7. “Doing the Most Good” is TSA’s brand promise; in my view, it is a promise kept.

When you see The Salvation Army’s red kettles and hear their bells ringing a few months from now, smile and know there is still goodness in the world and that people still care. Hope lives on.

Jumping In and Standing Out

Read about the healing of the crippled woman in Luke 13:10-17.

A Salvation Army advisory board member for the past 10 years, I confess there were times along the way when I thought they’d do well to lose their uniforms and dress more like the people they serve. It never really bothered me, but the thought did cross my mind from time to time. 

My uninformed view abruptly changed just a short time ago. A young Salvation Army officer was relaying what it is like to serve in a high-crime neighborhood, especially now in an age of rising tensions and ebbing trust. She said, “We may take a stray bullet, but we are not targets, because people see our uniforms and know we are agents of peace.”

Wow. When has such honor arisen out of such humility? These committed servants know well their Salvation Army mission statement: “To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.” How do we know they live it every day? We hear from those they serve every day.

Jesus never wore the navy and white uniforms with red trim, but He stood out no less than if He had. While the religious leaders burdened their people with rule upon rule, Jesus came proclaiming freedom upon freedom. To the woman crippled by an evil spirit for years, He said, “Woman, you are free from your infirmity” and immediately she “straightened up and praised God.” Then when the synagogue ruler cited man-made laws in objection to Jesus' act of compassion for the hurting woman, Jesus pointed out the man's disregard for the same man-made laws in caring for his hungry animals. (He silenced him, basically.)

Like the Christ they serve, The Salvation Army stands out in the world, even as its servants jump in to serve it. Of course, their Master did, too: “The people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.”

Lord, may I, like these servants among us, be an agent of peace, today. Amen.

Matthew 25:31-40

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34)

How do we serve others in need?  Just what does it look like to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit those in prison?  The holidays are here.  Thanksgiving is next Thursday and soon after we celebrate Christmas.  There are always opportunities to help people who need us, but during this time of year it is even easier.  Outside many grocery stores and retail shopping establishments you will see the "bell-ringers".  Dropping a few coins or more, into their buckets is a good start.

Is it not to share your food with the hungry
   and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
   and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? (Isaiah 58:7)

Driving down the road it is not unusual to spot a sign in front of a church that is asking for blankets or coats to help keep people warm in the bitter winter cold.  Having Thanksgiving Dinner this year?  Why not invite someone who is alone, perhaps a military wife whose husband is away serving our county.  Perhaps you know of a recent widower who could use a reminder of the way a home-cooked meal tastes.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:40)

Read the Matthew 25:31-40 text here.  Listen to a reading of the text here.