Israel thought they had God figured out. They were certain their coming King would be a mighty, military leader from a prestigious family. He would be wealthy and revered with a well-known and highly esteemed father. He would establish his Kingdom on earth and make Israel a forcible nation once again. Instead they got a baby in a manger from a family too poor to offer the sacrifice and controversy surrounding the identity of his father. When he began his ministry, Jesus surrounded himself with a ragtag band of blue-collar workers. Even more surprising, women were a part of his crowd and he not only allowed them to preach the Gospel, he encouraged it. His students didn’t have a Masters in Social Work. Not one of them had a Bible degree. All they had was what they needed, a few short years with the originator of love. They witnessed his compassion. They watched him listen to the hurting, heal the sick, and offer hope to the depressed. And not long after they embarked on their mission, these ordinary men and women were accused of turning the world upside down. God has a knack forusing the broken to bring healing. He uses common people with everyday problems to bring about startling changes. He shows up in unexpected places with unexpected people and changes lives. As we venture into a new year, let’s be like Jesus. Let’s love, forgive, and speak joy and grace into the darkness. Let’s show the world the hope we have in Christ. Let’s help the helpless, protect the weak, and lift the fallen. In a world full of mundane details and less than positive attitudes, it will be completely unexpected. I hope you have a wonderful New Year! Paula and her husband, John, have five children and one grandchild. They work with the Lone Oak Church of Christ in Paducah, KY. Paula is compiler and editor of the books, Once Upon a Bible Class, A Common Bond, and A Sunday Afternoon with the Preachers’ Wives. Her work has appeared in Christian Woman magazine, the Christian Chronicle newspaper, and numerous other sites and websites. She is a regular columnist for New Wineskins E-Magazine. A preacher’s kid, grand-kid, niece, and sister, she enjoys speaking at church events, workshops, and lectureships. To purchase books or contact Paula, email harringtonseven@yahoo.com
