IMTS Global

MEMORIAL - On a Personal Note: Beyond the Externals

Have you noticed that we have become a society enraptured with the externals. Everything from fashion to vinyl siding, from hair styles to the cars we drive, to the decorations adorning our homes during this wonderful season. They all send a loud message proudly proclaiming our mantra of superficiality. Yes the externals, they capture the eye, titillate the senses, and lure us from discovering what I like to call, "the intangible internals". Those deep and profound truths which become obscured by the obvious, clouded by the cacophony of voices and opinions telling us what is important, and oftentimes simply overlooked.

I often reflect on the "intangible internals" which are annually dismissed by the majority celebrating this season. Bustling from store to store, purchasing gifts to satisfy the unsatiable, attending obligatory affairs, raising yet another glass in an endless stream of toasts, pushing on through yet another season of giving and supposed merriment. Yet, what is it really all about? Do we ever take the time to reflect? And if so, on what do we reflect?

Let me suggest joining me on a journey of sorts. Come on, it will be fun, intriguing at least. Let's embrace a "Dickens mind-set" and return back in time. Not to Tiny Tim's adventure, but to the Bethlehem stable. To borrow and oft abused colloquialism, it is the "reason for the season".

Peer inside the stable with me. Come on, move closer. Right up alongside the manager. I know its frightening, but its also alluring. Your senses will immediately be exercised as you smell the aroma of the animals, hear the din of the bleating, whinnying and mooing of the inhabitants, sense the crispness of the air, and experience the love of a mother and newborn. But let's look beyond the "externals" to those "intangible internals". I see them, do you? Let me help you "see what I see". As I gaze upon His face I see...

The scene was a familiar one. All of our earlier conversations and excited chatter ceased while all eyes were fixed upon one spot. Over sixty grueling laps had been completed, and the finish line was in sight. The respirations of each spectator became shallow, while heartbeats thumped in anxious anticipation. Adrenaline, at an all time high surged with no outlet. We were but spectators, and would have no active role in the finish of this contest except to cheer on these brave warriors and to witness their feats of courage.

Love

John 3:16
16	For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

A babe born for one purpose; to live, die, and resurrect. A sacrifice to atone for my sins. I see...

Joy

Heb 12:2
2	Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

A child who would, for the "joy set before Him", be obedient His whole life, ultimately being brutally killed for my sins, and yet with joy. I see..

Peace

Isa 9:6
6	For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Peace that passes all understanding. A babe, no a Prince, the Prince of Peace, choosing to leave His heavenly abode and enter our world, one of hate, death and confusion, and one that would ultimately reject Him. I see...

Patience

Tim 1:16
16	And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

Patience with me, a wretched sinner. Patience with my response, my attention, my loyalty, my affections, my stupidity. Patience the world has not known. The patience of God. I see...

Kindness

Titus 3:4-5
4	But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
5	He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy...

Kindness, not anger or wrath that leads us gently to repentance. I see...

Goodness

Ps 23:6
6	Surely goodness and loving-kindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

His goodness would follow after me, pursuing me, sustaining me, loving me my entire life. I see...

Faithfulness

Lam 3:23 (NAS)
23	They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.

Loving-kindness never ceasing, compassion never failing, faithful is this Prince of Peace. I see...

Gentleness

Isa 53:7 (NAS)
7	He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth.

Gentle lamb, precious baby, lying so peaceful. A future He knew all too well, yet willingly, gently He allowed Himself to be wounded, afflicted, killed for my sins. Without retort, without opening His mouth. I see...

Self-Control

Pet 1:6 (NAS)
6	and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness;

By example, He displayed perhaps the most difficult of all challenges, controlling self-will. This child is the Holy One. This child is The King of Kings. This child is Jesus.

Yes, I see much in the eyes of this little one. I call them the "intangible internals". How about you? Gaze into His eyes carefully and you will see the fruit of this precious One is; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His Glory and Grace.

Coram Deo and Merry Christmas,

Jeff Ellis,
Elder of Administration and Education