It is officially the “Christmas Season”. For many, Thanksgiving kicks us into a seven week (Thanksgiving week through New Year’s week), whirlwind of activities including shopping, decorating, meal planning, visiting family and friends, going to parties, maybe throwing a party, and the list goes on. For some, it’s a time of reflection which, depending on your perspective of personal experiences, can be entertaining and uplifting, or depressing and full of disappointments. Regardless of the view you have of your life thus far, I would like to challenge you to sit and consider this thought: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28; NASB)

Think about it, if you have been blessed with good, loving family experiences, earning a comfortable living, good health, and a relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ, your reflection time feels pretty good. On the other hand, if you look at your life and see a lot of dysfunction, and feel as though your life has been nothing but struggles, reflecting on those disappointments and failures can be very painful. God might even seem so distant you wonder if He really cares.

In Genesis 37-50 there is a story of a man named Joseph. He started out as his father Jacob’s favorite son. His brothers did not like this, but it got worse. Joseph had two dreams that were about his ruling over not only his brothers, but his mother and father as well. This did not go over well and his brothers hated him. In fact, they sold him into slavery. Years later things changed and he became highly favored. Then suddenly he found himself in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Finally, he once again became highly favored. He could have been resentful of, or even hated, his brothers for starting what turned out to be a long, rough road. But he didn’t view life that way. He believed in God’s goodness and refused to let his circumstances change that belief. In the end, he was able to pass God’s blessings on to his family in a big way.

Whether you are in a good season of your life or in a time of struggle, God has a plan for you. There is no better time than right now, during this season, to do something that honors God for someone in need. It doesn’t take money or position, it takes a heart for God and a willingness to please Him. No matter where you are in life right now, you can be a blessing to someone in need. One of man’s greatest needs is love, and so many times it is the one thing they aren’t given. I’ll bet that no matter where you might be right now, you could throw a stone and hit someone that needs to know that God loves them, and that you do as well. Loving God doesn’t cost anything until you start doing it right, then, it will cost you everything. Focus this season on what you can do for someone that needs to see the light of Christ shine on them, and let God’s light shine through you.

If you are in need of prayer, please visit the “prayer requests” page of our website. Also, we would love for you to visit us on Facebook at “Open Homes Fellowship”. As always, I look forward to your comments. God Bless.