Don't Waste This Christmas

If you weren't at PCC today, you missed one of the most moving Christmas messages I've personally ever heard.  (You can watch or listen here).  Angie Frame helped us wrap our minds around a perspective on Peace at Christmas in a way that was fresh and moving.  Frankly, in a respectful way, Angie's message cut into my heart and helped me to see again the role that God intended followers of Jesus to play in the world.

WE are the kingdom of the Prince of Peace.

 

WE are empowered, equipped and authorized to bring the reality of Peace on earth.

 

Peace can only happen when followers of Jesus become the people God has called them to be.

My mentor, Dr. Cecil Sherman, used to say, "Brian, don't waste Christmas.  Challenge your people to give at Christmas so that the world is made a better place.  They will rise to the occasion!"

Dr. Sherman's challenge was that I give a gift to help others in an amount equal to or greater than the largest Christmas gift I would give to a family member or friend.  He urged me to urge people around me to do the same. 

When I think about how much I have to eat, the cars I drive, the nice home I inhabit...  When I consider my climate control, internet, satellite TV, tablets, cell phones, and closet full of clothes...  When I look at the gold wedding band on my finger, the 600 thread-count sheets on my bed, and how much money we spent eating at Chick-Fil-A last month... 

All of those things and a hundred others remind me that I live like a king, compared to 99% of the people on this planet.  You do, too, frankly.   I don't know why God has blessed me (and you) like He has...but I know this:  Our wealth is not simply for our pleasure.  We are supposed to be agents of change in the world. We represent the Kingdom of the Prince of Peace. 

I should do more.  I can do more.  I will do more.

So, let this be our challenge.  Let us put our first world problems into perspective, appreciate just how great we have it, and help some other people who can't even remotely relate to our level of blessing. 

We can do all of these at the same time, with a sacrificial act of generosity.  Give a gift that is as large as your largest Christmas gift this year.  Help us fund the work of PCC's missions efforts here and around the world.  Your gift will directly affect someone's life - put food in their mouth, shelter over their head, rescue them from human slavery, and introduce them to Jesus Christ.

You can go learn more about the causes we support and make your gift here. 

Let there be Peace on earth.  Through us.  Amen.