Faith Journey

James 4:4

The story is told of Shah Abbis, a Persian Monarch who loved his people very much.  To know and understand them better, he would mingle with his subjects in various disguises.

One day he went as a poor man to the public baths and in a tiny cellar sat beside the fireman who tended the furnace.  When it was mealtime the monarch shared his coarse food and talked to his lonely subject as a friend.  Again and again he visited and the man grew to love him.

One day the Shah told him that he was the monarch, expecting the man to ask some gift from him.  But the fireman sat gazing at his ruler with love and wonder and at last spoke, "You left your palace and your glory to sit with me in this dark place, to eat of my coarse food, to care whether my heart is glad or sorry.  On others you may bestow rich presents, but to me you have given yourself, and it only remains for me to pray that you never withdraw the gift of your friendship."

This beautiful story reminds us that Christ left the glories of heaven in order to share himself with us. That gift of his love and friendship will never be withdrawn from us.  He chose to be your friend and mine forever.

My Point: What have you been doing to keep your friendship with God warm and alive?  Perhaps you have stood at a distance and watched His relationship with others.  You can talk to me, or another Christian, about a true relationship with God.

In North America, Christians tend to be more interested in keeping the traditions alive but are too busy to keep a relationship with the Christ-child real and alive. Be careful that you do not fall into the trap of James 4:4. (Read it and weep)

What’s your plan to change that this year?