Be amazed this Christmas

Welcome to my Advent Blog. This is the 8th of 13 blogs, I encourage you to read them in order. We are exploring ways to rediscover the child-like faith we once had.

Have you ever said (or been with someone who has said), “I have seen it all.” For example, as a pastor I have heard a lot of people share their stories. I have heard about tragedy, heartache, and sin striking people in a vast array of circumstances. Sometimes, I try to comfort them by telling them, “I have heard it all.” In other words, you won’t shock me. But the truth is I haven't “heard it all.” And problems arise when we think we have. When we think we have seen it all, we become jaded to new possibilities. Sometimes, we become skeptical of things that don’t fit neatly in our box of things we have seen.

When was the last time you were amazed at anything? Now, ask a child the last time he/she was amazed at something? I am guessing they are amazed a lot more than you and I. While that may be somewhat understandable due to adult’s life experience compared to a child’s, it is also very sad. I think the saddest part is that it shows up in our faith. We can easily become skeptical of God answering our prayers or guiding our circumstances. We are even more skeptical of God doing miracles of any kind.  

A child seems to have a greater sense of wonder than an adult.  They also have a greater sense of the miraculous. The Bible even says that our unbelief can have a correlation with lack of miracles. Don’t misunderstand me, I am not saying God promises a miracle if you believe hard enough.  But I am saying that is sometimes miracles are more likely for people who don’t put God in a box.    

Be open to the possibilities --
           you might just find yourself amazed at what God will do. 

The next blog will be posted Tuesday, Dec 17. Have a great weekend and please feel free to comment below.
Pastor Dan