Oh the horrors of high school math! There I sat in Algebra class with the boring teacher who wore every hat in that small Christian school. Typing teacher. Church secretary. Deacon's wife. Disciplinarian. And, yes, Algebra teacher. She successfully taught me to type like a pro, but here I was, enduring Algebra class with a blank stare, a million miles away. All the "ifs" and "thens" rocked my sense of mathematical predictability and threw me into a numeric tailspin. Not one bit of it made any sense to me and I was ecstatic when the bell rang. I viewed the Algebra classroom as an emotional torture chamber and it remained my Achilles' heel for the next several years. In fact, I never saw a real-life connection until the recent passing of an unforgettable colleague with a heart of gold. Mr. Renaud left a lasting legacy with his exponential smile and compassion for students. As each moving tribute was given at the vigil, I knew that he had lived a life of "pay it forward." The things we do today impact tomorrow. The God factor of exponential miracles appears on every page of the Bible.
The Jewish festival of Hanukkah is underway. Jews rejoiced at their victory over a tyrant king and they marked the rededication of their temple in Jerusalem. This holiday tradition began after a very small supply of oil multiplied exponentially; the temple menorah miraculously stayed lit for eight days. Similarly, Jesus multiplied five loaves of bread and two fishes for a ravenous crowd. Elijah brought provision to the widow with an endless supply of flour and oil. Likewise, just two small coins given out of a sacrificial heart had exponential impact because of the obedience behind the deed. Whenever God steps into a situation, exponential things take place. A humble birth in a stable and a gospel too simple for some to accept-Yet, two thousand years later, the message is still powerful and its ripple effect has covered the farthest reaches of the globe. The birth of Christ was not an isolated event. It was the most valuable down payment in the history of mankind. One simple seed was the base number multiplied by the infinite power of God for exponential harvest!
This December, remember that the gifts of God are never out of stock. Allow God to use you in unexpected ways. As you prepare to give gifts or host family, remember that every word, deed and investment of your time will have impact that reaches well beyond December 25th, touching the next generation. The decision you make today leaves an exponential legacy behind for posterity. Your wallet is not tied to the tender memories you create for others. Holidays can leave us emotionally drained and financially depleted. Let's seek the heart of God and refuse to play the comparison game this Christmas. Your mission may involve volunteering at a soup kitchen or buying gifts for children at the local orphanage. Nursing home residents with no family would give anything to read your encouraging words on a handwritten letter; YOU HAVE EXPONENTIAL POWER. What about dinner delivery for an exhausted healthcare worker who is scheduled to work a double shift? The domino effect of kindness can knock down walls of depression and discouragement. Pay it forward.
Just tune in to the evening news if you want to experience exponential discouragement. It's contagious and it's everywhere. As the new variants of COVID-19 create anxiety, remember that words of encouragement and discouragement share equal exponential power. The ongoing pandemic has proved that exponential pain gives rise to exponential healing. Stressful conditions can cause us to shut down or they can provoke us to good works. In fact, without a lockdown, I would never have been confined to my room writing a devotional about hope. The birth pangs of destiny are relentless until the vision comes forth. Without death, there would be no resurrection. Darkness may hide the sun, but morning is coming. Just one baby born under The Star of Bethlehem brought enough light into the world to expel all darkness and offer exponential hope. We are the bearers of that light and we should exude uncharacteristic peace during a season of chaos. 'Tis the season for lasting legacy. When the curtain on your life closes and the credits roll, will they point to Jesus?
Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Comments