DECEMBER 31–YOU MUST CELEBRATE

17-18The seventy-two followers came back – elated, saying, “Master – even the devils obeyed us at the sound of your name.” Jesus said, “I saw the adversary tumble down like lightning from the sky… 20But don’t celebrate that you defeated the demons. Rather, celebrate that the Lord, God makes that victory possible!”(Luke 10:17-20)

                   Do you celebrate? It takes time and costs resources to celebrate. Why would you spend money needlessly to throw a party? Isn’t the satisfaction of experiencing the victory enough? You will celebrate. In whatever way you feel is appropriate, you will take a personal victory lap. The real question is, will you allow your people to join you?

                   Jesus let His people celebrate. He was never in too big of a hurry to focus on them, and what was going on in their lives. This passage likely is a shortened version of a much longer discussion, but Luke does include that Jesus joined in, echoing His peoples’ excitement (vv.18 & 19). Then, He did what every great leader should do. He reminded them it was God’s work that they had done, and that God gave them everything they used to succeed. Jesus pointed all the celebration toward God. They celebrated Him rather than what they had done.

                   Be the leader who sees value in celebration. Show the world that God has worked in and through you and your people each time He does something great.

DECEMBER 28 – YOU MUST LOVE & RESTORE

…. (Jesus gathered them together, privately, and quietly took them away to Bethsaida. (Luke 9:10)

                   Do you take time to concentrate on your people? Remember, Paul said, “the greatest of these (values) is love (1 Corinthians 13:13).” Jesus said the commandments all speak of loving God and other people (Matthew 22:37-40). Your people are fighting the fight each day against fierce opposition, and as a minority in a world that does not play by the same rules. If they are to persevere, they need you to show them some love.

                   It is not surprising that Luke’s abbreviated account of the accountability meeting is immediately followed by a time of team building. Jesus knows people. He understands that work can make you weary, even successful work. He understands that the conflict that can be part of accountability can be discouraging. He knows that people who are accustomed to rejection are looking for signs of their falling from favor. It is difficult for them to be authentic and focused in those times. So, Jesus made time to invest in His people, assuring them of their value to Him.

                   There is much work to do, and it is very challenging to find time for the work of restoration. But, it is valuable, important work. Find the time to invest in loving your people.

DECEMBER 12 – LIVE THE DREAM

Then, Jesus said privately to his followers, “You are so blessed to be able to see all of this! I want you to realize that the prophets and kings would have loved to see and hear and experience the life you are being given” (Luke 10:23-24)

                   How often do you complain? Do you get up some mornings thinking of the challenges of the day with anxiety or even dread? Or, do you understand that every moment of your life is an opportunity to watch and participate in the great work that God is doing in His world and His people? Are you living the dream or the drudgery?

                   Jesus has just celebrated the return of the seventy-two people He commissioned to go ahead of Him. He had challenged them, sent them, heard the stories of God’s work through their lives. Then, He thank God “full of joy through the Holy Spirit (verse 21).” This was a big deal for Jesus! He was excited. So, He made the effort to get his people to stop and take note; to celebrate their great fortune. They had been chosen by God to be part of His work to change lives. You have been chosen too! Celebrate that great opportunity every day.

                   See your great fortune through Jesus’ eyes. Relish the opportunity you have been given to live God’s dream life for you.