I just had to share this picture of Matthew. It was taken as he entered the great room as we were decorating the tree a few days after Thanksgiving. The look on his face says it all!
I have had a gap in my writing for this blog due to a demanding schedule this time of year that includes a yearly tradition of a musical production at our church. It really is a labor of love but it can be a little grueling. First there is the hanging of about 180,000 lights, followed by the building of a stage extension from our main platform. The set comes next along with the details of decorating it to make it come alive. This step is immediately followed by a week of dress rehearsals and then 10 performances over a two week period.
I share all of these details with you not to show you how resilient I am or to get a pat on the back for what I do. This is my 12th year in my role as a stage/set design manager and a person who is part of leading the massive team of volunteers who make this production happen so the nearly 15,000 people who attend it annually would see and hear a clear presentation of a story that began over 2,000 years ago. There are many stories that are shared of new hope and renewed lives over the many years. I am in awe of the selfless serving that takes place in the literally thousands of hours that go to make this event a success.
I share all of these details to tell you a story about me and an exercise in the humility of being a servant. The details of the incident are not as important as the lesson…in fact, I won’t even share what it was about. I think we have all had a serving moment that went un-noticed by the one we served. Maybe it was noticed and someone else got the credit, or you took the blame for something that you didn’t do. The lesson learned was in a quote that I saw that knocked the feelings of self-pity out of the way and made me take a good hard look at why I serve…it is a great quote because there is no author known.
How do we know if we have a servant’s heart? By how we act when we are treated like one! Unknown
Pretty sobering huh? This made me re-think the whole Christmas story and how and why Jesus came into this world…not as a Warrior King to smite the evils of the world but as a Lamb who would be led to die on a cross for sins he didn’t commit. I am continuing to learn that when I take on the task of serving, there will be times that I will be treated like a servant…I need to suck it up and keep pressing on.
This Advent and Christmas season has taken on a different feel this year. One of thankfulness for what I have and what we have been given as a family…not about what I want or think I need.
The wish I have for this Christmas is to be able to look with delight and wonder at God’s goodness…to be able to put on the same face that Matthew does in the picture above when I look at the manger…
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Have a blessed Christmas — The Troupe’s
Many have asked if it is okay to share this blog about our Lessons from Matthew…not only is okay, but we emphatically ask that you would. We welcome any chance to show how good God is and how he is working through the power of prayer. You may share by using the link buttons below. I would also love the opportunity to speak and share Matthew with your group, small or large and share our family story. Check out the “Want Kevin to Speak at Your Event” tab at the top of this page.
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