Maybe......

This evening, I had the privilege of attending a production called "The Christmas Station" at Savannah Christian Church. First of all, if you're reading this and you live anywhere near Savannah, you need to go see this play. Show times can be found of SCC's website. Trust me, it's well worth your time.

The production focused in on the live of a man named Eric. Eric is an important businessman working in New York City. His only focus in life is the fast paced world of his demanding job. On Christmas Eve, in an attempt to catch a train back to his hometown in Pennsylvania to be a part of the family tradition of attending the nativity at the local church (something that he is not very excited about), Eric ends up stuck at the train station waiting for a delayed train. As he impatiently paces back and forth, waiting on his train to depart, Eric comes into contact with many people that begin to change his perspective.

First, he meets a group of businessmen that are waiting on the same train. At first, they seem to be just like Eric, focusing only on their jobs. After talking with them for a while, Eric learns that they have actually just accomplished their goal of financially providing for a children's' homeless shelter with food for an entire year! The three men share with Eric the importance of giving. They explain how wonderful it makes them feel that they can help these children, especially when God has given them so much. After their conversation, Eric begins to feel the love of Christmas, a love that he has been shutting out.

Later, Eric meets a couple that has relied on their faith for everything in their lives. They are unemployed, and they are having trouble making ends meet. Their son has cancer, so they are having to choose between treatments and rent. To make things even more difficult, the husband's father is suffering from alzheimers. The two explain to Eric that even though their lives are very difficult, they have learned to place everything in God's hands and to trust him. After their conversation, Eric begins to think about true faith, though he doesn't fully understand it.

Throughout the evening, Eric meets people that share their faith in God with him. He begins to understand that maybe he is moving to fast. He thinks about his sister, who has just had a baby, Eric's first nephew. He has not even talked to his sister since then, much less seen the new baby. He then remembers his mother, who wanted so badly for him to come home for Christmas. It has been ages since he last saw her. Finally, the train arrives and Eric leave for his hometown, thinking about his life as he travels.

After arriving, Eric finds himself outside of the church with his mother. As a light snow falls, he tells her that he has had many strange conversations on his journey home. He explains to her the encounters with the businessmen, the faithful couple, and the other folks that he has met. He says that they all seemed to be filled with this unyielding sense of joy and peace. He tells her that he doesn't understand it. His mother replies with the simple words that, "Maybe God is trying to get your attention." The two go into the church for the nativity.

During the service, Eric realizes that all of the volunteers in the nativity are the same people that he spoke with at the train station. He becomes overwhelmed with a desire to share the peace that they all have in Christ. At that moment, Eric makes the decision to enter into a relationship with Christ, finding the peace that he so longs for.

In our lives, we often go through seasons in which we are much too similar to Eric. We get so caught up in our day to day lives that we forget to focus on the things that matter. Life becomes so fast paced that peace is impossible. I am certainly guilty of this. We need to learn to slow down, and focus on eternal things, instead of things that will eventually fade away.

In thinking about this, a certain quote comes to mind. Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, once said that "roads are nor for destinations, but instead for journeys." This is something that we all should live by. The focus of our lives should not constantly be the reaching of our goals. It should instead be to enjoy the journey that we take on our way there.

During this Christmas season, things are going to become busy. The constant callings of the shopping, the parties, the decorations, and the other worldly things associated with Christmas are going to appear in abundance. The important thing is that we don't allow these things to keep us from spending time on the important things. Instead of worrying about getting everything done, maybe we should spend more time with our families. Instead of worrying about the world's definition of Christmas, maybe we should focus on the true reason for our rejoicing. Maybe this Christmas is the time for you to lay everything down and rejoice in him. Maybe he is waiting for you, begging you to come to him and be embraced in his unfailing love. Maybe God is moving in your life right now, changing the way you look at things. Maybe he's trying to get your attention.

From the Hilltop,
Hunter Odom
hunter2444@coastalnow.net
Romans 8:28