I sit here at 5pm Christmas Day, struggling with my thoughts. I'd like to write you some inspirational words for Christmas, but the truth is I'm not feeling very inspired. I'm discouraged and lonely, homesick and hurting. Odessa, Ukraine, is the last place that I want to be at the moment. I want to be home. I want for someone, anyone, that I spend time investing in here to say "Merry Christmas" to me, acknowledging the fact that I've left my family and friends to come here and that this might be a hard day for me . A text, a phone call, an e-mail would have been nice. I've been struggling through December and doing ok. The day in and day out of ministry needs is good for me and keeps my mind occupied. For awhile, though,I just wanted to escape. I just didn't want to be here on Christmas Day. I looked at maybe taking a short trip somewhere and then decided that trying to escape wasn't going to help.
But even as I sit here writing, the thought comes to me: Jesus left His home with God to come to earth to offer eternal life to a completely fallen world. He endured rejection, humiliation, scorn, terrible physical abuse, accusations, betrayal, mockery, hatred, and ultimately, a horribly brutal death...........all for our sakes. He was the Godman and could have relieved Himself of that awful duty, but He chose to walk that road out of His love for you and me.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life." Jn. 3:16
So even though I'm not doing great emotionally right now, I'll get over it. After all, this day isn't about me, or my family, or our traditions, as great as they are. It's all about Him.
