Dec 12, 2011
How Jesus changed my heart about a Christmas party
I didn’t want to go
My wife is a teacher, the staff at her school was having a Christmas party, and I knew I should go.
But I didn’t want to.
After all, I’m an introvert. I feel awkward at parties. I wouldn’t know most of the people.
What could I do?
I could have just relied on my will-power to get me there and make it a good time.
But the Christian life is not lived by will-power. It’s lived by faith in Jesus Christ.
I needed help.
Jesus helped me Friday morning as I met with some guys from my church.
As I shared my struggle with them I remembered Jesus promise in John 14:21 —
Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.
Here Jesus promises that obeying His commands always brings more of His presence.
That’s huge — because there is no greater joy than His presence. So I want to be wherever I will experience more of Him.
That changed my heart
As I thought and prayed about that, the Holy Spirit changed my heart.
I realized that if I wanted more of Jesus’ presence Friday evening, I would not find it at home on the computer, or watching TV, or reading a book.
For me, that evening, I would find more of Jesus’ presence at the Christmas party.
The Holy Spirit used that truth to change my heart — so I wanted to go.
What Jesus did
I went to the party, looking forward to experiencing Jesus’ presence.
I was surprised at what He did.
Not only did I already know a lot of the people, not only did I enjoy the new people I met —
But Jan and I ended up sitting with a young couple who are passionate about being Christ-centered, nurturing strong marriages, and making disciples who make disciples who make disciples.
Through that conversation Jesus manifested Himself to me.
There’s no place I would have rather been. Really.
How about you?
Is there something Jesus wants you to do — that you don’t want to do?
Pray earnestly over John 14:21.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you want Jesus’ presence more than anything — and to help you see that more of Jesus’ presence awaits you in that obedience than anywhere else.
Then step out in obedience — and watch how Jesus fulfills His promise.
Before you go …
I’d love to hear how Jesus fulfills His promise, or any other thoughts you have about this — feel free to leave a reply below.
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(Picture by fangol from stochxchng.com.)
Something I very much needed to hear and need to practice on a regular basis! Thank you, and praise the Lord!
So glad to hear this was helpful, Ben. Thanks for letting me know. And I need to practice this more regularly, too!
In addition to your wonderful experience, you made your wife feel valued by going with a happy spirit! Blessings abound. 🙂
Yes, there were many benefits that came from what the Lord did. Thanks for your thoughts, Linda!
I recall complaining about Tupperware Parties to which I was invited! They were a waste of time. They were boring. Etc. Etc. Etc. But then one day I felt God was whispering in my ear and telling me it was important that I go when invited. That response would make me “real” to people with whom I worked. After all, Jesus attended all sorts of earthly gatherings! As God, I suspect humanity could have been pretty boring for Him if He had chosen to look at it that way. Instead, He siezed the opportunities and found ways of shedding light into those rooms.