I Brake for Jesus

You’ve seen bumper stickers saying, “I BREAK FOR BLONDES” or some such humor. Well, I’ve been avoiding braking at all whenever I could for a few weeks now, driving with “iffy” brakes. Scary and worrisome – tension-filled driving for sure, but finances prevented an immediate fix. Brake fluid was disappearing, resulting in the brake pedal going nearly to the floorboards. I was risking my life and the lives of others, I knew. Yesterday I shelled out $200 and now have brakes AND peace of mind.
Sitting in the auto shop waiting for the mechanic to complete my brake fix, I thought about the harried pace of our lives, the rushing to and fro, the errands, our jobs, our families, our obligations, “where do I need to be next?” and “what do I need to do next?”
Maybe we need to “brake” more for Jesus. Our hustle and bustle lives sometimes produce tension just as my malfunctioning brakes caused me. Tension obliterates reason at times, robbing us of coherent thought and calm. Who doesn’t want to be calm and reasonable? What do we accomplish, REALLY, when we feel harried and rushed and pushed and skidding out of control? What are we rushing toward? Is it worth the hassle? Look both ways! Slow down! Proceed with caution! Breathe! God is in control!
I often-times give myself a “brake/break”………to regroup, to pray, to thank God, to ask for directions, to refuel for the next minute, the next unexpected expense or event. I plug into my God GPS. I find that quiet time at the beginning or end of my day spent with Jesus are the best thing I can do for my body, mind and spirit. And yet sometimes I neglect it. “Iffy” brakes on my car reminded me that life has flawed “brakes/breaks” and if we don’t repair/fix/employ, we are skidding down a very slippery slope indeed. Stop! Pray! Meditate! Study! Listen! “Brake” for Jesus! It will save your soul and ensure your eternal life.

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret…..it leads only to evil…” Psalm 37:7a, 8b

Are We Ready?

Christmas is near. Are we prepared? Not prepared as in - shopping is finished, gifts are bought and wrapped, a decorated Christmas tree stands proudly in a perfectly appointed room, and plans for a holiday feast are complete.

Prepared as in - are our hearts prepared for the birth of the Baby Jesus to once again come into this world to save us? Have we laid our hearts and minds and arms open to receive Him? Have we thrown our shortcomings and sins before Him, begging for forgiveness, fully ready to joyously welcome His Holy Spirit?

Each year we hear the Christmas story, we watch the manger tableau played out in school Christmas programs, and we sing the joyous familiar Christmas carols. Is it merely enjoyment and tradition or does it truly touch our hearts? Does it bring tears to our eyes to know that this little baby, this Christ Child, came for you and me? He entered the world, growing in the knowledge that He would shortly die for His children in order to set us free. Are we even able to comprehend the concept, the magnitude? I wonder.

So many rituals make up the season of Christmas. Families coming together, gift-giving, holiday meals – all so wonderful. We must also be certain that there is still Christ in the celebrations of Christmas. Our hearts need to be as open as our arms would be to receive a new-born baby - any new-born baby, but especially this little Child of Bethlehem.

So hear the angels singing and the bells ringing, marvel at the Star of the East, watch the shepherds make their way to the stable, see the wonder in the eyes of Mary and Joseph and know that this baby, lying so humbly in a bed of straw, came to save us, came to give us life, came to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Be prepared with an open heart because He came for YOU and He came for ME. CHRIST is in CHRISTMAS – CHRIST is CHRISTMAS.

“ …Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” Matthew 3:3b
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’ ” Luke 2:10,11