HOME AND FOREIGN MISSION: EYES WIDE SHUT

"Elisha prayed; Lord open his eyes tha he may see. (2 Kings 6:17)

People of God, as we embark upon this holiday season let us not forget the real reason for the season, the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. More importantly, let us remember the poor and less fortunate when we spread our dinner tables, exchange gifts, gather with family and friends, our stomachs are full and our hearts have been made merry. That there are children in our cities whose stomachs ache from not being filled but ache from hunger pangs because their stomachs are empty. And there are those who live in third world countries going to bed hungry and waking up hungry day after day. We must not forget that there are people God loves just as much as He loves us who are hungry, cold, sick, outdoors, sleeping under bridges, living in abandoned houses with no heat, food or clothers. As we drive along the city streets in our cars we see them and yet we do not see them; when they are there right before our eyes. We pass by them with our "eyes wide shut."

The Christmas season has great meaning for those of us who are Christians. Christmas for us is like Easter because we recieve the gift of life every day as we awake to a new dawning. Nevertheless, there are some Christians in our country and on foreign shores who are not so fortunate. It is not because the Lord loves us more. He loves us all the same. Yet by His  divine providence He has smiled upon us and has entrusted us with spreading the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20). We have been commissioned to show His love through mission, education and evangelism. He has also entrusted us with the responsibility of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and educating all about the reason for His birth.

However, sometimes when we see the needy we see them with our "eyes wide shut." How unfortunate it is for those of us who have been given this sacred charge that we refuse to open our eyes to the challenge. The Bible reminds us, "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required (Luke 12:48)" and "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21)" As the "entrusted ones" we must first open our hearts in order to see the tasks before us. It is a universal calling to God' people of every nation, here at home, overseas, aroung the world and into the entire universe (Act 1:8).

Hearts that are exposed to God's Word should no longer hard and callous. We should allow the Holy Spirit open our hearts our spiritual eyes as our Lord sees. Therefore, this Christmas season after our children and loved ones have enjoyed a fine meal, are all safe and warm let us do as the prophet reminds us, "consider our ways (Haggai 1:5, 7)."  Let us make a special effort to see with our heart and seek to meet the need of someone less fortunate that our Lord might be glorified this Christmas.