“I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”’ Psalm 122:1

“Where do you want this to go?” asked one. “Where does this hang?” asked another. Then my heart went into shock as I heard someone say, pointing to me, “ask HIM, he’s in charge!” The occasion was our annual “Hanging of the Greens,” where the church gathers together for pizza and the decorating of the sanctuary for Christmas. I had picked up the tree and the pizza… but neither act qualified me to be ‘in charge!’

Decorating for Christmas can be either fun, or a drudgery… depending on the circumstances. If it is all up to 1 person, it is no fun and a chore. If it is a time to get together with the people you love who ALSO love God, it becomes a holy event where all are united in one larger purpose. In this case, the one ‘I’ counted on being ‘IN CHARGE’ was the Holy Spirit. I just provided the bait…PIZZA!

As I made my rounds talking to individuals, the sounds were ‘heart smiling’ ones. Kids were running around being kids. An older believer held one end of a strand of lights with a younger believer. I heard communication between them as they worked together to form a plan… and then execute it. ALL of us worked separately…together. With one common purpose. I knew Jesus was smiling.

After all was said and done, I DID do a ‘take charge’ thing, asking everyone to come and sit together in the glow of the Christmas lights. There, I reminded them of the story of Christmas and gave them a charge I am now giving to you. A Holy Calling for which YOU have a very important role! Yes…. YOU!

All the blessings given to us from God… Life, Peace, Joy, the eternal promise of Heaven, etc, are FREE GIFTS. We don’t DO anything to earn them. We could not, even if He required them. He came as a baby in gentleness and love, and offered Himself to us FREE. It is up to each individual to either receive the gift, or walk away from His Grace. But when we DO receive Him, He does have 1 simple request. And that is what I wanted to remind this special, pizza breathed group of decorators.

“Tell my story.” Says God. If He had asked for all my time and money and a pledge for 100% future dedication, I MAY have considered signing the contract. But He didn’t ask that. All He asks of me, and you, is to tell His story. The story of Christmas…. Of Easter… of salvation! And don’t we all love stories?

God was pleased through the foolishness of what was (spoken) to save those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:21). Sadly, too often our reaction to His request is like He just asked us for a leg! But whats He WANTS… is our lips. But is starts at the heart!

Do you love Him? Really? If so, may I ask you, this Christmas, to listen to these words from HIS heart… “Tell my story.”