Lake Eufaula Christian Church
The nativity story— the true Christmas story—took place in the midst of a torrid political climate. God had given the Promised Land to the Israelites, but roughly sixty some years before Jesus was born, Rome’s powerful General Pompey conquered Israel. Rome subjugated the Jewish people, taxing them highly and making their lives more difficult and stressful.
Doesn’t it seem strange that God didn’t send His Son during Israel’s hundreds of years of blessings and peace? No, He sent Jesus to earth during an incredibly frustrating, dark moment for the Jewish people. The Jews didn’t like Rome and resented their rule.
God, though, had consistently worked for Israel’s deliverance, and He did so again. Even when His people had lost all their rights, God worked miraculously, but life was not easy for the Christmas story characters.
Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem to be counted in a census. Joseph had to take off work, pay for the trip, and then pay taxes when they got there. What a disruption to their lives, especially with Mary very pregnant!
People then must have truly felt they had lost deserved rights and become outsiders in their own promised land. God uses moments of such uncertainty and disruption to reveal Himself and put His power on display.
Today we know the story’s ending. God used this disappointing time to establish his kingdom through Jesus, and his kingdom is never- ending—more powerful than any political faction can dream of being.
How does knowing this history help us? By remembering—when it feels like everything is going wrong and we’re losing our rights—maybe God is up to something. The big picture is that we’re just sojourners, traveling through this world temporarily while being really meant for God’s kingdom in heaven. God wants to use our temporary journeys for His glory.
We have options when something unexpected happens. We can choose to allow frustration, uncomfortable moments, and inconveniences to steal our joy. Or we can choose to see the actual blessings that most often come through life’s unforeseen, disheartening inconveniences.
Just as Mary and Joseph were willing to leave their comfort zone, growing in faith and obedience to God, we need to examine our own personal growth that that coincides with our spiritual growth. We need to be willing to escape our comfort zone, move into the learning zone, and handle the new and unexpected which can sometimes— maybe often—feel like a panic zone.
If we’re following Jesus, we must prepare to be displaced, like Mary and Joseph were at a most inopportune time. God is more concerned with discipleship, than disappointment. We at LECC want to be brave enough for the journey, and we’d love for you to join as we try to use this marvelous sojourn for his glory.
We have 10 a.m. small Bible study, 11 a.m. worship, and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday classes for all ages. This Sunday is our 11am Christmas Eve Service! Get your seat early as our Awaken Student Ministry and Kids Ministries will perform their Christmas program. Please join us at 415987 Highway 9, Eufaula, and unwrap the Christmas gift of salvation. God Bless You! Jeremy Little, Minister.
