A THRILL OF HOPE
Dear Friend in Christ:
For followers of Jesus Christ, December is a special month indeed as we remember and celebrate His birth. We sing songs of praise, we journey through the Advent calendar, we read Bible accounts we’ve read before–yet never tire of hearing them. We prepare gifts for loved ones, for people in need, for churches, and ministries. We gather together for renewal of fellowship, feasting, sharing old memories, and making new ones. The air is filled with music, mostly Mariah Carey and that song. You know the one.
Yes, Christmas is a time of joy for many. And yet … it can be a time of great sadness, loneliness, and pain for many others. Maybe you. Maybe me. An empty chair at the dinner table reminds us of a loved one no longer with us. Memories can be bittersweet. The revelry of others can remind us of current hardships we face. We wonder if anyone cares … or will we ever laugh and sing again. This is the reality of so many of our neighbors right now.
I’ve always believed that joy is meant to be shared with others. Peace is meant to be shared. Love is meant to be shared. The wonderful, miraculous truth regarding the fruit of the Holy Spirit is that the more we share it, the more it multiplies. It doesn’t run out, but instead – like the loaves and fish the little boy offered to Jesus when the multitudes were hungry – it grows the more it is given away.
The Apostle Paul wrote about this in his letter to the Church in Corinth:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
We are comforted by God so that we might be a comfort to others. The area of our deepest pain can become a reservoir into which the Holy Spirit pours out His grace and healing; so much that we have an overflow beyond our need to quench the thirst of those in need. In fact, as we share with others what God has given to us, He gives us more.
I am reminded of the old hymn, “He Giveth More Grace,” by Annie Johnson Flint. Annie was born on Christmas Eve in 1866. Sadly, she was orphaned at a young age. However, she was adopted and raised by a wonderfully loving couple. Yet, when Annie was a young lady, her adopted parents also became sick and died. Then, just as she was beginning a promising career teaching, she was stricken with rheumatoid arthritis. Piano playing, which had brought her great comfort, was no longer possible. Her disease progressed and her condition worsened.
But Annie continued writing poems and hymns, and in that desperate season, the Lord gave her a song that has comforted millions of people all over the world.
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
Annie went home to be with Jesus at the age of 65 in 1931. Her life was not simply marked by suffering, but by grace and giving. Out of the comfort she received, she gave.
WHAT CAN I GIVE?
In his excellent “Transition Roadmap” course, Mike Coleman discusses the importance of taking inventory of the gifts and resources God has already put into our lives. Too often, we forget what the Lord has given to us, or we take it lightly. When we forget, we neglect to give thanks. Our faith shrivels. Our vision dims. Our joy dissipates.
But when we “count our many blessings” and consider what the Lord has done, we begin to see more clearly what God’s purpose is in our lives. We are reminded of His grace and faithfulness. Our faith grows. We can identify with others who are walking through similar trials.
What can I give? Well … what has God given to me? Did He give it only for my benefit or are there others I can bless; others with whom I can share comfort, encouragement, or seasoned wisdom. “Hey, friend … I don’t know exactly what you’re walking through, or how you feel. But I’ve gone through some rough stuff, and I want you to know God is faithful in it. He is with you. He hasn’t forgotten you. He hasn’t cast you aside. He’s at work. He loves you. And I love you. By His grace I’m going to walk with you through this. You are not alone.”
You see, when we are most in need, that’s the time when we most need to give. Second Corinthians 9:10 tells us that God gives seed to the sower. If you want more seed to sow, then sow the seed you have. My Dad said, “Lots of people want their ship to come in, but they never sent a ship out.”
Some can give money. Others can give a hug, or a listening ear. Some can serve others or help them with their heavy load. Some have faith to pray. Sure, advice can be a helpful gift sometimes, but as President Teddy Roosevelt is thought to have said, “Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” But don’t forget to listen!
WHAT IF?
Coach Nick Saban added this: “People may not remember what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel.” That quote regularly challenges me to do better. So many people–especially young people–are experiencing heartbreak, loneliness, and fear right now. Us older folks can choose to sneer, “These kids today,” and roll our eyes at their concerns. We can patronize them with, “Back in my day, we were tough, and you need to suck it up, buttercup.” Really??? I knew some of y’all “back in your day.” It wasn’t necessarily like that! But if you don’t tell on me, I won’t tell on you. LOL!
And, for that matter, a lot of us older folks are battling loneliness, fear, and discouragement as well. Here’s an idea: what if there was a multigenerational spiritual gathering where young and old alike took the unique resources they have and share them with others? As Psalm 145 says, “One generation shall praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts.” The picture I get is one of old and young encouraging and exhorting one another as we run our race together. Strength, energy, and joy can be shared with those who are faltering or fading; wisdom, counsel, coaching, and encouragement can be shared with those who are new to the racecourse.
Could such a space exist? Is there a place of acceptance and welcome for young and old alike? Are churches a place like this? What if you have gifts you had forgotten you had, or maybe even never knew you had? What if the eternity that God deposited in your heart is precisely what someone needs to unlock the eternity in their own hearts?
Let this Christmas be a time of taking inventory. We’ve just celebrated Thanksgiving here in the United States. For what are you thankful to God? What has He placed in your hands … your resources, skills, relationships, and experiences?
It is good to ask our Father for good gifts. But let us also ask Him for the wisdom to know what to do with those gifts once we receive them. Folks are all shook up right now. Truth be told, we live in times of great shaking (see Hebrews 12). Let us be reminded of times in the past when God has delivered us; and when our ancestors found hope and joy in the midst of great turmoil. “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever” (see Hebrews 13:8).
The world is weary. This is not the first time. Let us remember that holy night of our dear Savior’s birth. Generations had languished in darkness, bondage, hopelessness, and fear. But then, He appeared! Christ was born. As the carol says, “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices! For yonder breaks a new and glorious dawn!”
We are created to be vessels of this Good News. Let us stand together to restore the generational bridge; to proactively open ourselves to give and receive, one generation to the other. In so doing, we can truly be the Light of the world.
MOVING FORWARD
I would ask you to prayerfully consider standing with us here at CSM in your prayers and your giving, especially here in December. Things have been pretty tough around here also. But we are looking up and looking out at what the Lord has called us to do. We are so thankful for those of you who have chosen to move forward with us in mission in a season when it would be easy to withdraw. But we are not of those who draw back (see Hebrews 10).
Make sure you have our April 29-May 1, 2025 CSM Gatlinburg Family Reunion marked on your calendar. Our theme will be “Restoring the Generational Bridge,” and I believe this will be one of our most significant and best Gatlinburg gatherings ever. Also, check out our csmpublishing.org website and our CSMPublishing YouTube Channel. We are on Facebook and X (Twitter), with more platforms and resources coming soon!
Thanks again for your love and friendship. Please see the card enclosed and let us know how we can stand with you. We love you and thank God for you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
In Jesus,
Stephen Simpson
President
©2024 Charles Simpson Ministries
