the greenest grass around

With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s important to take a step back and really wonder at what God has done for us.

I don’t know about the year that you have had, mine has been the worst year of my life. Even though I can truly say that they have been many times this year I can look back and know that God‘s hand was there. I can see the small minute details that he provided amongst all of our trauma, and I can see some of the obstacles that he moved out of our way. Through gods grace and mercy we have been able to take baby steps forward.
take a moment and think about all the blessings that you have had this year. Think about the small blessings like having a roof over your head or knowing what you’re going to eat for dinner. Think about the big blessings, the new job, a healthy diagnosis, or a new opportunity. Look what God has done!

I am reminded of the song Noel by Lauren Daigle. Just one of my favorite Christmas songs. Every time I hear this song, I get chills down my body when she sings “come and see what God has done!”

How can you (and me), no matter what life has brought, not be in awe of God, and all of his glory, mercy, and love? How can we provide surface-level offerings to God? How can we rush around looking for Santa presents and baking holiday cookies and not glorify his name? How can we celebrate Christmas without Christ?

God loves us so much that he sent his only son to die for us on the cross, a sinner’s death. He was beaten, mocked, stripped, spit on, and finally murdered for speaking, the true message of eternal life.
Most of us know John 3:16 by heart, “for God, so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, who so ever believes in him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”

God gave a perfect selfless sacrifice of his son Jesus so that we can be saved from our sins. God sent his son to live among us, and to be crucified to wash our sins and turn them white as fresh snow. Jesus suffered like we do, Jesus rejoiced like we do, and Jesus was tempted like we are tempted. Yet he remained sinless to be our perfect sacrifice. Look at what God sacrificed for us!

Roman 6:5-6 it states, “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin”

We are promised a place with Jesus in heaven and eternity with him if we take God at his offer. God wants a relationship with us. He wants to spend time with us. God wants these things but gives us free choice. He made us an amazing offer.
Wow… look what God has offered us!

 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

God is offering us love, hope, redemption, and a future with him. I pray that you will take time this holiday season to truly stand in awe of what God is offering and what he has done for us. Come and see what God has done!

Dear Lord, heavenly father, I pray that every person who reads this truly reflects upon you. I pray we will stand in awe of your glory and power. I pray that we will reflect upon the things you have done for us this year big and small and give you praise and glory. Allow us to open our hearts and minds to you, Lord. Help us to remember that you are the reason we are celebrating this amazing holiday. The birth of Jesus is your offer and sacrifice to us to have eternal life with you. I pray that anyone who does not know you will seek you and find you. Amen.