Get on Board
On Christmas we celebrate the love, generosity and mystery of God. In the movie “The Polar Express” we meet a young boy filled with doubt, questions and flat tire faith concerning Christmas. While he lay in bed something miraculous happens. A train stops right in front of his house. He can’t believe his eyes. Even after talking to the conductor he still doesn’t believe that it is real much less that its destination in the North Pole.
Even still he somehow gets the courage to get on the train. See faith, even a little bit, a small amount is great and powerful. He finds the strength and courage to get on board. God, throughout the bible asked people to “Get on Board” and have faith,
- God called His people (Noah and Family) to get on the ark, to get on board to be saved. “When everything was ready, the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the boat with all your family, for among all the people of the earth, I can see that you alone are righteous.”Gen. 7:5-16. Noah “Got on Board.”
- Abraham “Got on Board” with God Being willing to sacrifice his son for God. Gen. 22
- Jesus “Got on Board” with God’s plan. Praying in the garden in Matt. 26:39 and Mark 14:36 Jesus cried out Abba Father, All things are possible for you, get me out of this! Nevertheless, not my will but Yours be done.
- Jesus “Got on Board” with God’s plan. When Peter slashed off the servants ear Jesus said, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” John 18:11
These people and more got on board. But the train didn’t stop there. They received a wonderful gift from God – Life!
- Noah received life for he and his family. They were blessed by God, received the promise (a rainbow) and they populated the earth and Noah lived over 900 years.
- Abraham received life and he became the great nation of Israel and his descendants were greater than the number of stars in the heavens.
- And Jesus – Jesus life was taken…no…it was given that WE might have life eternal.
Now gifts are funny things. We receive gifts, sometimes we give gifts but we all expect gifts for Christmas. We go from Hot Wheels and baby dolls to bigger and better and more expensive stuff.
Other times we get things we don’t want (Socks and underwear) and can’t wait to exchange them. We don’t want that stuff. Even though someone took the time and spent their hard-earned money, we don’t want it.
We do that with God. We are willing many times to trade God. He has something good for us and what we KNOW it is the best gift and we trade it in for what is evil. Look at this passage from Romans –
Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen – Romans 1:24-25
People exchange truth for what is convenient and comfortable; the truth of God tossed aside and consciously choosing something that is evil…sin.
In the book of Titus we read…
“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds” – Titus 2:11-14
We need to get on board with God’s plan. In the movie The Polar Express” the conductor calls out to each potential passenger, “All aboard”. I believe that the Lord is calling out to people right now the same thing, “All aboard” The question is, Do you have the courage and faith to “Get on Board“? Come on! Hop on board and see where the Lord take you.
Lord, I pray that we would find the courage and strength in You to step up to the train and get on board. Help us not to doubt or loose the wonder of faith as we look to you for the TRUE meaning of Christmas. Amen.
Life Change 