I am sitting down writing this during the morning of Christmas Eve.  This past year has been quite a challenge of change in our lives.  Last Christmas, I was facing my last Christmas in the pulpit as a pastor of a local church.  After finishing up Easter services in April, I wrapped up a 12 year period of my life following my calling to be a pastor of a local church.  The month of May was spent relocating and working on getting housing secured for the family.  June, July, and August were spent traveling, training, and raising support.  September, October, November, and December were used navigating support raising, networking, surgery for both Sarah and my mom and getting settled in our home and kids in school.  I have felt like I have not been able to catch my breath.

I am sure the thought of being too busy and traveling too much must have ran through the heads of Mary and Joseph as they traveled to Bethlehem to be registered in the census.  The promise of God that he made in Genesis was coming to fruition in the birth of Jesus.  How exciting it must have been for the angels to see the Son of God coming to earth to save all of humanity from their sins.  It is no wonder to me, why the veil between the seen and unseen was opened and the shepherds saw and heard the angel armies singing God’s praise.

This year, I am not preaching or leading a Christmas Eve service.  I am not responsible for visitation or emergencies this Christmas.  I am living into the change in calling God has placed on our family.  The normal business I was used to has changed and I am relying on the promise of my calling God has given me.

Luke 2:25-38 (NIV) tells the story of Simeon and Anna.  Here is the passage:

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

    you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,

31     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

    and the glory of your people Israel.”

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Both Anna and Simeon were devoted to God and followed their calling to serve Him in the temple waiting to see what was promised to them, the Son of God.  We all have a divine calling on our lives.  Not all our callings are sacred (or deal with things that we consider holy) but we all are called by God to use our gifts he gives us for not only his glory but also to build up the church.  Think about how long each of these servants waited to see the fulfillment of God’s promise.  We are called to follow and obey Christ and we do not always see the fulfillment of that calling.

This year, I am in the waiting and trusting God to see the beginning of my calling to start in country.  It is different for me not to be in the pastorate or to be leading.  However, I am confident in the calling God has given and I am excited to be seeing God at work.  Last month, I almost gave us on thinking we would even reach 50% by the end of this year and yet we are now over 54%!   Praise God! I am reminded of Paul’s words in Philippians 5:6 that “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (NASB)

I have a deep sense of peace and joy in my soul this Christmas as we are waiting on the Lord.  This Christmas season has not only been a reminder of the advent or coming of Christ as baby but also His return.  This season has also been an exciting building of anticipation of living into the calling of missionary for me.  Join me in praising God and seeking his provision as we continue living into His calling.

God Bless,

Peter