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ORIGINAL: StrongWisdom

Today I was reading Luke 2: 1-40.

I am amazed at the fact that when Christ was born, there were a significant number of people who were able to find him either in Bethlehem (Shepherds) or Jerusalem (Simeon and Anna). Angels either told them where He was, or they stood strong on the prophetic word of God that He was coming.

I thought about my life. When did Christ first arrive in my life? Is this a fair question to ask? Some may say that he always was there. But, I'm looking at this story at a different perspective. That is, when Christ arrived in my life...when I accepted Him and His plan, were others able to find Him in my life? Can they still see Him in me?

I think this Christmas, I am asking myself two questions after reading this passage:

1.) In reflecting how Joseph and Mary had some challenging times but yet Mary gave birth to a miraculous child...how many times has Christ miraculously arrived in situations in my life? When things didn't seem possible? When I thought no one else knew and he still sent people in my life to affirm the gift He has given me? Thinking about this makes me feel amazing love.

2.) Can others still find the Gift of Christ in me? When they encounter me and have conversations, will they say that Christ is here and alive in my life? Just as the shepherds and wise men found Joseph and Mary to affirm the truth that was told to them, will people (after meeting me) ever be encouraged to believe that Jesus is real in my life and theirs?

I want my family, friends and acquaintances to find Christ in me...

I know that I'm single, and stand out because of that...but I want to stand out even more for the Christ that is in me. No matter where I'm at or who I'm meeting. People should should be able to find Jesus in my life. And knowing that, should makes us all feel special, called and chosen to reveal this best gift to others...

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ORIGINAL: OneJohn410

I'm a little confused about your comment about Christ arriving in situations in your life. Maybe you mean as your walk strengthens, you realize Christ has always been right there willing to help when you give Him the chance?

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ORIGINAL: OneJohn410

I like the rest of your self-reflection, though it's hard to think about standing out for Christ (what that means) without mentioning that the Lord uses the meek and humble, the simple and ordinary to accomplish His awesome extraordinary.

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ORIGINAL: Psalms274

Thank you for the post Strong Wisdom ... it is very true.

It reminded me of a silly story (now ... though it didn't feel silly at the time) about ten years ago now. I was training as a new Financial Adviser at a firm in Charleston. They required 30 hours of training on top of a 40 to 50 hour workweek, and I came down with Mono after the first three months into the program. I was no longer excelling as I did in the beginning (I set the record for new hires for the nation my first 6 weeks ... the firm had over 12,000 advisers nation wide) and the Vice President and my Manager called me into their office to talk with me. (They knew of my diagnosis, but would not allow me time off to recover ... it is a very cut throat industry, and I don't even like money that much!!!)

The VP asked me what were my goals in life.

By the time he had asked me this I was sobbing, I was so tired and they were railing back and forth about my performance the during the last month (same time period of my diagnosis). I responded with, "To glorify God with my life" and then between those gasps that come with sobbing I bellowed, "and I am doing a terrible job!" I thought if I was getting into trouble, there was no way anyone was seeing Christ in me ... though I found out much later, they did.