happy birthday Jesus (testimony for RHCBC)

December 20, 2003

Every year we find ourselves, on numerous occasions, shopping for birthday presents for friends, family and loved ones. We spend hours upon hours strolling through the malls or racking our brains for that perfect present. And when we find that perfect gift, we get excited because we can picture that priceless look on their face when they open it. But the funny thing about this whole process is that buying presents is really very unnecessary. Sure, it's an act of our appreciation and celebration of a person's life, and it helps us remember their life, but let's be honest, most people could care less about what they get. Instead, it's all about who gave it to them that really counts.

Birthday presents aren't the end all and be all of a birthday. There's also the big birthday blowout bash. We book the caterers, decide on the guest list, prepare decorations, and of course, invite musicians. Maybe you don't do all of that. Some people do. Nonetheless, we often spend a significant amount of time on a person's birthday, whether it be arranging the activities, or simply purchasing a gift.

If we can spend so much of our precious time and resources on a person's birthday, how much more should we be spending on celebrating, planning, and preparing for the birthday of the holy Son of God, the One who is deserving of all glory, honour and praise? Because the last time I checked, we don't meet very often to celebrate His birth. Maybe one day out of the 365 days in a year. And if we don't celebrate His birth that often, then at the very least, how often do we even think about His birth and the impact it's had on our lives?

In the 21 years of my life, God has reminded me time and time again the reality of life and time. So far, I've had surgery, been in a major car accident, witnessed my mother undergo radiation treatment for cancer, and faced the death of an immediate family member. God used each of these experiences to reveal Himself to me and to remind me of Him. From my foot surgery, I saw just how much we take life for granted. From my car accident, I learned the grave responsibilities we have as drivers, as well as the urgency of time. I honestly thought I was going to die that night. From my mom's diagnosis of cancer, I learned how to value and cherish the ones around you, and how time is truly short. I can honestly say that if Christ was not in my life, I would have been completely overwhelmed by these experiences, especially the latter one.

Some of you are aware that my brother, Eric, committed suicide in August. Since then, I haven't talked much about it because it's been an excruciatingly painful journey for me and my family. Eric was only two years older than me and the loss of him created a deep void in my heart, a void that only Christ could fill. My brother and I had a loving relationship. He was always there to encourage me, to protect me, to guide me, to challenge me, and to spur me on towards greater things. He was one of the biggest influences in my life and the fact that his death was from suicide was a complete and utter shock to me.

What do you do when a person whom you love so much decides to take their own life? There was only one thing that I knew to do in that moment and that was to the cling to the cross of Jesus Christ for dear life. There were two passages that I held dear to my heart during that time. Romans 8:28, which says "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" and Ecclesiastes 3:11, which says "He has made everything beautiful in its time." I didn't have any answers or know what to do. I was confused, shocked, saddened beyond words, helpless, and lost. I was at the end of my rope. How could God allow such a tragic thing to happen? How was I supposed to deal with all this? I never knew what it was like to experience the death of a loved one. I hadn't even been to a funeral before. But while these different thoughts and emotions flooded my heart and mind on a regular basis and in the midst of all my anguish and pain, in my darkest hour, Christ was there to sustain me, to hold me steadfast, to comfort me, to care for me, and to love me. The pain in my heart was real, but Christ's love was far greater than that. It was only through the hope and assurance I had in Him that allowed me to move on because I knew that in all circumstances, God was still the same loving God that He's always been and that He was still the One who was completely in control of everything. I realized that though I couldn't understand why God allowed such a thing to happen, He knew what He was doing. I realized that I was in no position to question the Creator of the entire universe. I realized that in the midst of everything I was struggling with, all I needed to do was to look up to Him to my loving Heavenly Father and trust Him.

The birth of Jesus Christ encompasses so much more than a baby being born. It's about the way a God, who is bigger than the entire universe, showed His love for us. It's about the way God had mercy and compassion for us. It's because of the birth of Christ, that we have hope, freedom, forgiveness of sins, salvation, communication, friendship and a love relationship with God. It's because of the birth of Jesus Christ, that I can stand here before you today, and share this difficult part of my life with you.

But you know what? Most of us only come together to celebrate Christ's birthday once a year. And the sad reality is that if we didn't have Christmas, we would probably celebrate it far less than that. Maybe once every five years. This incredible gift of life, this unfathomable act of love demands to be celebrated. If we can spend so much of our energy on the simple act of purchasing a birthday present, how much more should we spend on the reflection and celebration of the birth of Christ?

Our response is simple: it is to celebrate, unceasingly, the birthday of Jesus Christ, because of all that it encompasses. Every single day, every moment that passes, our hearts should well up with worship and praise to our great and merciful God for all He had done and will do.

what's your legacy?

December 11, 2003

i never realized that the relationship my family had with our next door neighbours (auntie may & uncle gordan) was significant. i'm not trying to belittle it, but we don't spend much time over at each other's house (in fact, yesterday was the first time i've ever been into their home). in fact, the only time we go over to each other's home is when we house sit for one another, which happens very infrequently since i don't like to go on vacations. nonetheless, they are by far the greatest neighbours i've ever had. they are one of the nicest families i've ever met in my life, and they aren't even Christian. i remember one time when uncle gordan decided just to shovel our driveway for us in the early morning, without us even asking him.

our move took less time than we had anticipated, in fact a whole day less. so by tuesday, we were already moved into the new house. i was hoping that i'd get a chance to say goodbye to auntie may, or at least see her one more time before we were completely gone. that happened on tuesday when we returned to the old house to clean things up (it was in quite a bit of mess). and much to my surprise, there were tears in her eyes when she was talking to my mom. and it's not like we're moving that far away, i mean the new house is only approximately 10 minutes away from the old house.

regardless, that got me thinking. in the spheres of influences in my life, are there people who would react the same way if i were to move away or go somewhere afar? that the relationships i've built with them were significant enough to cause such an emotional response as auntie may? taking that deeper, has my influence pointed people to the glory of the blazing Son of God? has my influence caused people to reflect on their lives and question if there is more to life than face value, if there's something deeper? are my actions, thoughts and words reflective of the gospel of Christ to all those around me?

the most lasting and meaningful impact you can have on this earth, is not in power, wealth or fame; it's in people's lives. "do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." matthew 6:19-20 [NIV]. since everything on this earth is temporary, nothing we achieve on our merit will be a treasure in heaven. power, wealth and fame are transient. but if we leverage our lives to affect those around us, if we allow God to use us to reflect His glory, if we are on board with the gospel of Christ and have the privilege of participating in such an act, then if someone comes to Christ as a result of the work God is doing through us, those treasures will be ever-lasting. those are the treasures that we can store up in heaven.

i was listening to "the life that leads to why" series by louie giglio at 7:22 a while ago. and at one point, he challenged us that we should be able to list at least one person that we're praying for on a regular basis and such. i don't think i've ever been able to think of someone, until this past year. i've been praying for a friend of mine from school. i believe God has placed a burden on my heart to pray for her. tim, last year, told me that if my life could influence hers in a profound way, if God could use me to lead her to Christ in the four year span of my studies in the york/sheridan program, or at the very least to plant a seed, then it's all worth it, despite the struggles i've faced, despite all that i've encountered so far. four years, for one person. is it worth it? without a doubt, a resounding yes.

what's your legacy? are you leveraging the life God entrusted to you to influence the sphere of people in your life? will people remember the godly life you lead when all is said and done? will you hear the words "well done, good and faithful servant"?

the most lasting and meaningful impact you can have on this earth is in people's lives.

scholars discover parts of luke's gospel

December 7, 2003

http://channels.netscape.com/ns/news/package.jsp?name=fte/lukesgospel/lukesgospel