The anticipation of Christmas makes us think of gifts. When I was a child the arrival of the Sears Christmas Wish Book immediately set my mind to picking out things I wanted for Christmas. Many of those gifts have been long since forgotten or thrown in the trash. Although I occasionally come across an item and remember that I received it as a Christmas present in years past, my heart and mind think more and more of God’s gifts that cannot be bought and sold, gifts that made a lasting difference in my life.
My Parents
Growing up I was blessed to have parents who loved Jesus, loved each other, and loved my sisters and me enough to provide for us, teach us life skills, take us to church every time the doors were open, and bring church home and weave it into every fiber of life. It never occurred to me then how many kids, including some I knew very well, had none of those blessings. Daddy was a deacon, but he preached to me more than any pastor I ever had. He was firm on discipline but I always knew he loved me. Times were usually hard financially, which caused Mama to take a job as a cafeteria worker when I was in the third grade. Daddy had always farmed, but made most of his living as a furniture builder and refinisher.
Our simple country life sheltered me from much of the world’s evil, and taught me many skills I still use today. In February of my ninth-grade year Mama was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She died just over four months later, and Daddy finished the challenge of parenting alone. He often said, “I may not have much of this world’s goods, but with my family and my God I’m a millionaire!” He lived to see all of his children marry believers and follow the path he had shown them long before the Lord took Him home in 2016.
Servants
When you’re young, you take for granted that people serve the church in certain capacities. You don’t realize till years later that many of them served faithfully for decades with no pay and little recognition. They served as Sunday School teachers, discipleship training teachers, music leaders, youth leaders, deacons, mission trip leaders, and more. Most of them prepared on a weekly basis to help numerous people know and serve their Savior and rarely received any gratitude.
When I became a pastor, I began to realize the importance of these people. When I got married, I REALLY learned the value of a servant, my wife. I just didn’t realize it then. True servants give their time for the health of the church and the advancement of God’s kingdom. They stand in sharp contrast to people who merely want to be powerful decision makers. Servants are givers. They understand the purpose God has given them, even if it seems ordinary, and they live to fulfill it. My wife has shown me that a servant doesn’t just do a job to fill a slot. A servant sees the long game of where their work is headed. A mother works toward what her children will be one day; a serving church member looks to where the church needs to be in the years ahead. Both are driven by a heaven-sent calling.
My Savior
It’s one thing to know that salvation is by grace through faith; it’s another thing to wrap your heart and mind around this truth. Like many people raised in a conservative Christian home, my early years had plenty of legalism woven into them. I was influenced by the notion that God’s approval is directly tied to my performance. When you become impressed with yourself you are less impressed with grace and quick to look down on others. It took several years to learn that I can live a holy life because I have God’s approval, not as an effort to gain His approval. While the distinction may seem subtle, the heart and mind behind these two ideas are vastly different. When we read, “the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23b), me must see it as a real gift, not an honorarium. Many people who believe in salvation by grace still want to reserve some credit for their achievements, but he Bible makes it clear that we play no part in our salvation. When we understand that grace really is an undeserved gift, we are moved to humility and praise. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me by your grace and filling me with your Spirit so that I may live for your glory!
This Christmas take a moment to appreciate your parents, your spouse, and faithful servants as you celebrate the coming of eternal life through Jesus Christ!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Troy Rust, AMS