Christmas Colors: Silver

Devotional for January 7-13, 2008

Day One The Heart of Hope

In November of 1972 Johnny Nash hit Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 with "I Can See Clearly Now", a song written and performed by Nash. The lyrics to the familiar song are as follows:

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,

I can see all obstacles in my way

Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind

It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) Sun-Shiny day.

I think I can make it now, the pain is gone

All of the bad feelings have disappeared

Here is the rainbow I've been prayin' for

It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) Sun-Shiny day.

Look all around, there's nothin' but blue skies

Look straight ahead, nothin' but blue skies

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,

I can see all obstacles in my way

Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind

It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) Sun-Shiny day.

If you were alive when this song became popular you may remember the culture in which it hit its popularity. It was the right before the second election of Richard Nixon, right after the discovery of the Watergate break-in (but before Nixon was considered a co-conspirator), at the height of the Vietnam War and subsequent protest, and a couple of years before the President resigned in shame. It was a time when many people in our country felt disenfranchised and in the dark. It was a time when many were looking for answers, a time when many were looking for a light in their time of darkness, a hope in their time of hopelessness. They were looking to all kinds of things for these answers, including drugs, sex, and rebellion. They wanted light, they wanted hope.

People always want light and hope. They wanted that in the early seventies, they want that today, they wanted that in the time of Jesus' birth. Another similarity between all three of those times is that ultimately people begin looking to or for a person to provide that light and that hope. No one wants to live and exist in darkness and hopelessness. Everyone wants light and hope.

This week we will be using the same passage each day, only focusing on a different aspect. This passage is John 1:1-18. As you read this passage today, focus on God's provision of Light and Hope for people in their time of darkness and hopelessness. Who is that light and hope?

Look particularly at John 1:8. The witness to the light is John and the light is Jesus Christ.

Why do you think that there would be a need for someone to come and testify to the coming light?

Sometimes, as was true then, we do not want to see the truth that is in front of us. People did not really want to see the truth in early seventies, they wanted a feel good, quick and easy, answer and were looking for a person who would provide that for them. People today want the same thing, we are looking for a presidential candidate that will end the war, change our standing in the world, and bring all the blue and red states together in a nation of harmony. We don't want the truth that it is going to take some time and a lot of work to accomplish all of those things. People in Jesus day were the same, they wanted the light and the hope, but they wanted it to be easy on them. John, the witness to the coming Christ, came to tell them that the "light" was not what they were expecting. He came to tell them that the "light" was going to take a change in their hearts. He message of preparation was a message of "change your hearts."

Are you ready for the light and hope in your life?

Day Two Seeing Hope

You have all heard our recent ice storm story over and over, and yet, here it comes again… Not really, I will not make you endure our tale again, only two small parts. Those parts occurred at 4:00 a.m. and around 6:30 a.m. The first was at 4:00 a.m. when we heard the crack and ran to the girls' room to make sure they were safe. The girls were fine, but as we looked out the window it was apparent that the tree had completely fallen. I put on some shoes, picked up a flashlight, and headed outside. Once outside, I was able to get an idea of what had happened. I walked around the tree, listened to the crashing sounds going on around the neighborhood, and then went back inside, waiting until dawn when I would truly see the extent of the damage. The second part was around 6:30 a.m. when there was enough sun for me to go out and get a clear vision of all the damage and mess. It was then that I was enlightened about the entire situation. At 4:00 a.m. I had a small idea of what we were facing but it was not until I could see everything, and see it clearly, around 6:30 a.m. did I have a true understanding of the enormity of what had happened. Enlightenment was not pleasant, but it was essential.

Read our passage, John 1:1-18 again. What do you see about our enlightenment?

Look particularly at John 1:9. The New American Standard Bible ('96 edition) translates this as "There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man." What do you think it means that Christ "enlightens every man"?

Remember our discussion yesterday, how Christ was the true light that came in their darkness. We saw that John was the person sent to prepare people for the light. He came to inform them of the need to change their hearts to prepare for the light. His preparation was also to prepare them for their enlightenment. Why do you think we would need to be prepared for enlightenment? Why would that preparation require us to look at our heart?

It is said that a group of Republican, individuals from his own party, approached Nixon in his final days and attempted to prepare him for the inevitable. They came to the White House to tell him that the truth had become known and that he was facing impeachment and most likely, conviction. They came to prepare him for the truth. He soon resigned.

Our enlightenment presents us with the truth. Sometimes we are glad to see the full truth and sometimes the truth can be overwhelming or disappointing, but it is still the truth. It shows us what is true and what is deceitful. Enlightenment reveals truth. The light that is Christ, is the light that give us that revelation, that enlightenment.

What are you doing with your enlightenment?

Day Three The Invite

As I write this I am realizing that Andrea and I missed two weddings in the month of December. With all the events and chaos of the month of December we managed to miss these ceremonies to which we had received invitations. We were invited, but did not attend. The seats that had been planned for us were either left vacant or were given to another couple. We had the best of intentions, but failed to be present for the nuptials. We did not attend the wedding. It is that simple.

Even though we meant to attend we failed to due to the fact that we allowed our minds to get focused on other things. We failed to make the weddings a priority over the other things that popped up in our lives in the month of December 2007. Even though we had a very good excuse, there is no denying that we were not at the wedding.

A wedding ceremony and invitations unused is an analogy used in Matthew 22:1-14. Read this and give your interpretations of the events that took place.

Why did the King take such harsh actions against the underdressed guest?

Do you think that the actions of the King were harsh or unfair? Why?

Now, let's go back to our passage we have been looking at this week, particularly John 1:10-13. Relating this passage to the story we read in Matthew, who would you say the people were that are spoken of in John 1:10-11?

Who would you say are the people detailed in John 1:12?

What would you relate the "proper wedding attire" that is required in the Matthew story of John 1:12?

The attire is the receiving of Christ which is what makes the invited guests, chosen guests. What is the receiving of Christ?

Have you done this?

Day Four Like Me

During the summers of 1980, 1981, and part of 1982, I lived in Sun Valley , Idaho working as a summer resort missionary. There was a group of us who would conduct camps for kids during the day, outreaches at the various campgrounds during the evenings, and just be around town as often as possible. Sun Valley , Idaho was the home of Ernest Hemingway when he was alive and several of his family members still live there. It was not uncommon to see noted members of his family around town just being regular people like me (and like you). I will never forget the first time I saw Mariel Hemingway walking down Main Street. I was amazed at the absence of fanfare surrounding her (she was a fairly big star at that time, people would have recognized her). I found it amazing that she just walked around like everyone else. Over my time there I saw her at the grocery store, the gas station, and various other typical, regular people, type of places. I soon found that I was no longer all that impressed with seeing this movie star, and granddaughter of one of the world's most famous authors. I soon became very cool giving her the same nod I would give any stranger I may pass along the way. I think that one time she even nodded back. Apparently, she is as cool as me. The point is that she, a celebrity, was just like me, an ordinary, non-celebrity guy (I hope I have not shattered your illusions regarding your pastor).

Even though our lives may have different aspects, the truth is that when you get down to the basics, we are all the same. That is where today's section of our passage for this week comes into play. Read John 1:14 to see our amazing point for today.

The Word, Christ, became flesh… He became just like us! We often miss the magnitude of this fact, God became just like you and me. Think for a moment of all that means, Christ had the same "flesh" experience that you have. Now, go back and reread our passage for this week, John 1:1-18, and keep the fact that the light, the hope, was like you.

How does this adapt the hope and light to your life?

How does it impact your trust and faith in this hope and light?

Day Five Neverending, Really, Neverending

Those of you who know me know that I drink way too much coke. Classic 50's is way too familiar with me and I would surely be able to wear a smaller size pants if I would just accept Diet Coke… but I stand my ground. I have always enjoyed drinking cokes. The first place I drove to on the day I got my license was to get, yes, a coke. When in college I took a job as a bank teller (I have told you this before, I basically was giving out free money to anyone even if the FBI was searching for them……what were they thinking asking me to check identification?) and knew that I had found my calling when I walked into the bank break room and found a soda fountain. Yes, free, and free flowing cokes, anytime and all the time! It was the best, it was never-ending; it was wonderful. It made the fact that I stunk at the job and often went home concerned about a missing, let's say $800.00 (which I did find the next day by the way), bearable. Who cares about the misery when you could have a coke at anytime free of charge?

Anything positive that is never-ending is good, when it is there to help you survive it is even better. That is exactly what we have, a never-ending provision from God to help us survive the trials and turmoils of this life. Read about this in John 1:16. If possible read from a few different translations.

What does this passage say is the source of this grace?

It is out of the fullness of God's grace, this grace is bottomless! Now, one last time (at least for this week until Sunday) read our passage for this week (John 1:1-18). As you read the passage this time think of the light and hope which you have received and that it is provided for you, for you to survive, for you to live. It is for you.

What are you doing with the light?