“And you also were included in Christ
when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having
believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”
(Ephesians 1:13 NIV)
My knee jiggled
nonstop under the exquisitely-decorated table. A friend leaned over and whispered,
“Are you nervous?”
“I’m
always nervous before a performance, even on Sunday mornings before the worship
service,” I admitted.
An acquaintance sent
me an email the month before and inquired, “Would you please provide a musical
program for our women’s annual Christmas dinner?”
It was a
double honor to be invited to attend this event at the Presbyterian Church and to
present the gospel with music and a short story. My husband and I arrived early
to set up my keyboard and observe as guests arrived, decked in festive garb.
Each of
the fifteen tables was uniquely adorned to celebrate the coming of the Christ
child. I coolly walked around the room and was filled with awe at the imaginative
beauty before me as I visited briefly with each guest.
We have
been invited into God’s kingdom as I was invited to this festive event. Paul
tells us in his letter to the Ephesians we have been selected and marked with
the seal of Christ’s Holy Spirit. Our life-long call is to include others in
our lives, to widen our circles.
I recently
read that one secret to a long, satisfying life is to accept invitations and
spend time with people. Perhaps we should go one step further and invite others
into our lives, especially when we are outsiders. Be a gracious innkeeper and
fling open your doors to the baby Jesus.
I will
make a special effort to widen my circle today. I hope you will, too! Merry
Christmas!!
No comments:
Post a Comment