A Lesson from a Christmas Carol

Season 1 Episode 52 - Do you ever feel that your life is insignificant?  I pray that this true story will be an encouragement to you to be faithful to God's call on your life, and to wait patiently for the fruit of your faithfulness.

Here is a link to the video mentioned in this episode:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fbgWa5pH3g 

 “Mary, Did You Know?”  Written by: Buddy Greene, Mark Lowry.  Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

"Reflect on This" is a once-weekly, short devotional podcast, where I am sharing what I am learning about the ways and nature of God, through applying my study of the Scriptures to life in practical and meaningful ways.
 
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Resources that inspired some episodes:

 “Dream Small:  The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life” by Seth Lewis
 
 Blog by Seth Lewis:  https://sethlewis.ie/

“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman

"The Lies We Believe: Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life" by Dr. Chris Thurman

Featured ministries and resources:
 
“Agape Puppets” (ministry)
This is an amazing world-wide ministry that uses puppet shows to reach children (and their parents) for Christ, in cultures that are generally not very open to the Gospel.  To learn more, go to: https://theagapepuppets.org/ 

"Manufacture Good" (ministry)
 Manufacture Good is a Christian ministry that offers 3-month paid apprenticeships to unemployed young men.  These apprentices learn valuable woodworking and metalworking skills which lead to employment opportunities.  The sale of the high-quality furniture they produce supports the ministry.  You can shop their catalog of fine home and office products, order a standard or custom piece of furniture, and learn more about this amazing ministry, at: https://manufacturegood.org/.

"The World and Everything in It" (podcast)
This is a weekday 35-minute podcast that presents headline news, in-depth news articles, media reviews, and opinion pieces from a Christian world view.  Their stated mission is "biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires."
 
“Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage” (podcast) 
This is a once a week 30-minute podcast hosted by Greg and Erin Smalley, who head up the marriage team at Focus on the Family.  Each episode addresses a different aspect of marriage, using biblical principles, featured guests, practical advice, and a mixture of humor and candidness.  
 
"Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope" (podcast)
This is a 4-minute weekday podcast, where Joni shares stories of her life and biblical applications.  One of the world's longest living quadriplegics, God has used her courage, determination, faithfulness, and love to inspire and minister in amazing ways to people around the world.    
 
"e-Sword" (Bible study software)
This study tool includes many free public domain resources (and many other resources for purchase), including Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, devotionals, and maps.  You can simultaneously view multiple Bible translations, a dictionary, and a commentary.  
On your computer, go to e-sword.net
On your mobile device, go to your app store and search for “e-sword.” 

Music credits:
Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
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Transcript

In episodes 26 and 27 of this podcast, I shared with you several modern-day examples of people whose lives became a preparation, orchestrated by God, for fulfilling their dreams in unexpected ways – even bigger than originally imagined.

Today I want to share with you yet another illustration of a life of unexpected preparation, and of significant outcome.

Mark Lowry, Christian humorist and long-time member of the Gaither Vocal Band, was born in 1958 to Christian parents.  He has used his humorous view of his own life and the world around him to spread the gospel message for decades in a spontaneous and fresh way.  

Growing up in a Baptist church in Texas, Lowry recalls a time when he was 12 years old that he responded to the preacher’s invitation to come forward and receive “wisdom like Solomon.”  In Lowery’s humorous way, he describes how he said to himself, “Well, I could use some of that, so I went up to the altar and asked the Lord for wisdom.”

The other prayer he offered up to God at the altar that day was that he would do something that would outlive him.

The answer to that request has most clearly come to fruition through his writing of the lyrics to the Christmas song, “Mary, Did You Know?”

Mark Lowry penned the lyrics in 1984 as a series of questions that he would have liked to have asked Mary, mother of Jesus.  He wrote the lyrics while he was scripting a church Christmas play.  Seven years later, Buddy Greene wrote the music.  It was first recorded in 1991, when Lowry was 33 years old.  Now, more than 33 years later, it is a classic Christmas song, recorded by more than 30 artists.  It is also one of my personal favorites.  I have included a link in the show notes of a short video of Mark himself singing a moving rendition of this song.  I encourage you to watch this video.  It will stir your soul!  Listen carefully to these insightful lyrics:

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Will one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered

Will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Will calm a storm with His hand?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has walked where angels trod?

When you kissed your little baby

You've kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear,

And the dead will live again.

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak

The praises of the Lamb!

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Will one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy

Is Heaven's perfect Lamb?

This sleeping child you're holding

Is the great 'I Am' !

This is yet another illustration of how God can fulfill our dreams and desires (even when they are formed in us at an early age) -- especially when they are noble and God-honoring.  Mark Lowry is another modern-day example of this principle.

Here’s my point:  I encourage us all to ask God for a dream or vision of something significant to advance His kingdom (in your family, your community, the body of Christ, and the world) – something that will outlive you -- and then patiently wait for God to supernaturally fulfill that vision or dream.  

Hebrews 12:1b-2a NASB  Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  (2)  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.

Like Mark Lowry, the fulfillment of our dream or vision will probably come in an unexpected way, might seem that it will never come to fruition, will probably look different than what we expected, but will always be better than what we expected.  This will remind us that we cannot do it by ourselves – we need God!  It will confirm that God was actively involved in it, and will bring Him further glory.  And in the process, it will teach us more of the ways and nature of God.

Isaiah 55:9 NASB  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.  

Would you join me in asking God for a dream or vision of something significant to advance His kingdom – something that will outlive us?

Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”

Here is the link to the video of Mark Lowery singing his beloved song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fbgWa5pH3g 

“Mary, Did You Know?”  Written by: Buddy Greene, Mark Lowry.  Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.