A Christmas Message

I woke up the other morning thinking about baseballs. I remembered how as kids, we would take turns unraveling a baseball until we got to its inner core. It was quite an endeavor. Baseballs are intricately made. I couldn't shake the image all day. Then, I remembered a scripture, Psalm 139:13-16. 

Certainly you made my mind and heart; 

you wove me together in my mother’s womb.

I will give you thanks because your deeds are awesome and amazing. 

You knew me thoroughly;  

 my bones were not hidden from you,

when  I was made in secret

and sewed together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw me when I was inside the womb.

All the days ordained for me

were recorded in your scroll

before one of them came into existence.

Like the baseball, we too are intricately made. Cognitively, I know that I am His workmanship, but I don't always live that way. Too often, I live as though I am a self-made woman. 

I love Christmas. This time of year makes me both reflective and hopeful. I am able to re-focus and remember that this world is loved by the God who can be known by us. One of the names of Jesus is Immanuel, God with us.

I encourage all of us to:

• Know thyself - I think it was Socrates who coined this neat little phrase. We must know ourselfves in light of who God has created us to be,  not only for what we want to be. It really is a life-long, beautiful discovery.
• To thine own self be true - This phrase was spoken by a character in Shakespeare's Hamlet. I think it goes hand in hand with Socrates' wisdom. You can be true to who you are only after you know the truth of who you are.

These concepts are contained smack dab in the middle of the hands of a loving God who sent His only Son to die that we may live the life that He intends. If we let Him, He will shape, mold, and guide our steps each and every day.

Have a very, Merry Christmas. Celebrate Jesus. Celebrate life!