I love Christmas time. I love the lights. I love the music. I love the presents. It really is the most wonderful time of the year.

But at the same time, it’s also the most hectic time of year.

There’s the stress of trying to find the perfect gift for every member of your family. There’s the craziness of trying to find a parking place at the mall. And of course there’s the madness of going from school productions to Christmas parties to church services and more.

Which is why it’s so important to take some time to reflect on what Christmas is all about. Christmas is about Jesus. It’s about God sending His one and only Son to enter into our mess and our stress. It’s about God creating a way to live through the stress.

And I can’t speak for you, but knowing that I lean on a God who understands my stress, makes things a lot less stressful for me.

I know that it’s only November 11th, but Christmas is already here in full force.  

I’m not talking about the decorations that are already popping up all over town.  I’m talking about what’s happening tonight on our campus.

Once again, it’s that time of year when we decorate our stage, sing a few Christmas classics, and unload a ton of Christmas presents on our guest missionary families.

If you’re a church member or attender and you’ve never experienced “Missionary Christmas”, trust me when I say that you need to make whatever arrangements necessary to get here tonight.  It is one of the highlights of our church year.   

For those of you who are reading this and can’t make it because you’re on TDY or out of town on business, here are some pictures from our Missionary Christmas last year to give you a taste of what’s in store for our families tonight.  

Anyway, the fun starts at 6:30 tonight, but if you don’t show up until then, you’ll be sitting in the balcony.

Oh, and don’t forget to wear Christmas colors and be ready to celebrate!

See you tonight!!

In just a few short hours, our country will have a new leader.  

And some people are nervous.

But not me.  

Do you know why?

Because “…the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes…”  Daniel 4:17 (NIV)

Translation:  God is in control and He does whatever He wants when it comes to earthly leadership positions.  

I’m not saying we shouldn’t vote or that we shouldn’t care about the election process. I think God accomplishes most of what He does in this world through people.  

But at the same time, I’m also saying that Heaven rules no matter who on earth is appointed as the ruler.  

So, no matter who wins, please don’t freak out.

Because God isn’t.

I’ve been reading Nehemiah lately and I noticed a phrase in chapter 1, verse 11, that Nehemiah makes about himself.

He simply says, “I was cupbearer to the king.”

I’ve skipped over this phrase so many times, but I tried not to this time. And when I did, it became much more interesting.

It’s almost like Nehemiah wants everyone who reads his story to know that he wasn’t super intelligent, incredibly strong, or anything else like that.

He was just a cupbearer.

And yet, that is exactly where God wanted Him to be.

God leveraged his position as a servant in the king’s palace to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem.

Now, here is that application: God has you exactly where He wants you as well. No matter who you are or where you work, God has you right where He wants you.

It may not seem like it. It may not feel like it. But God is at work right where you are.

And who knows, maybe God has a big time project for you just like He had for Nehemiah!

I’m currently taking the Family Ministry team here at Southside through the book, Visioneering.  I’ve read it before, but this time I noticed a sentence that I somehow skipped over the last time I read the book.  

Here is what Andy Stanley writes: “God’s vision for you does not include pressing you into someone else’s mold.  He is not in the business of conforming us to the image of  other Christians”  

I love that!  

So many of us are missing out on who God wants us to be and what God wants us to do because we’re too busy trying to be like somebody else.

Maybe that’s not what God wants.  Maybe God wants you to be you.  Maybe God has a unique plan for your life.  And maybe it’s time you started pursuing that!

This Sunday we’ll be making a BIG announcement!  

And I’ve got a hunch that you’ll be very happy about it.

No hints on this one.  You’re going to have to show up and find out yourself.

See you Sunday!!