CHRISTMAS IN ME
One day, my Dad led my siblings and me
(With mist from our lungs afloat in cold air)
Up hill, toboggan-swoosh, in search of a tree
To the top, to find the perfect one there
With cut of the ax, the pine tree was felled
With grunting and pulling, sled slid through snow
Back to our car, where we laughed and we yelled
As Dad wrestled ropes as tight as would go
At home, we delighted when Christmas tree rose
Adorned it with ornaments, popcorn and such
Until, with a flourish, Dad said, “Here goes!”
And he stretched to place star, then adjusted a touch
Star-studded mem’ries, decked in childhood glee.
Will you show me, Lord, how to live Christmas in me?
Rising Leader,
The moment is now. God needs you to spark a movement that, in some small way, will change the world for the better. It will take work; you’ll need followers and resources. But more than anything else, it takes love.
How do you spark a movement?
Soul by soul. Just begin; you’ll learn as you go. Keep your eyes peeled and your heart open to the workings of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps someone will notice what you’re up to, and join you in the work. By this approach, soul by soul, step by step, if it is God’s will, your movement will grow. Mother Teresa describes it this way:
"I never look at the masses as my responsibility. I only look at the individual. I can love only one person at a time. I can feed only one person at a time. Just one, one, one. You get closer to Christ by coming closer to each other. As Jesus said, ‘Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it to me.’ So you begin… I begin. I picked up one person. Maybe if I didn’t pick up that one person, I wouldn’t have picked up the others. The whole work is only a drop in the ocean. But if we don’t put the drop in, the ocean is one drop less. Same thing for you. Same thing in your family. Same thing in the church where you go. Just begin… one, one, one.”
That’s how you spark a movement.
When I began this series, I asked you to reflect upon three things: the state of your soul, the state of the world around you, and the call of your heart. It was my hope that in contemplation, you might be inspired to draw closer to God– and then to act. To step up and serve as a leader of goodness. Our world is unraveling at the seams; it pines for ethical leadership. Only gifted, dedicated, ethical leaders can stitch humanity back together.
Now, as this series draws to a close, my purpose remains the same. It is my fervent prayer that you will befriend God, work with Him to untangle your soul knots, listen for His call, fly to the need and become a contribution. Never underestimate the power of faith. God is everywhere. He sings to you from every rock and leaf. He calls to you from every wisp of wind. He loves you. He believes in you. He will clothe your life with meaning. He will help you move beyond yourself. He will help you open your heart, your arms, your calendar and your wallet to change the world.
The moment is now. You are tomorrow’s leaders. Keys to the future are being handed to you and others in your generation. Will you use them to open yourself to greater love? Pray– with your whole self– to sense and follow God’s guidance. Find a point of impact that you are uniquely designed to lead. Take up the cause, spread your message, and inspire others to join in.
The moment is now. For you are God’s fuel. You brighten the fire of God’s love in every act of goodness. Your spark lights a lantern in the darkest place. It burns down the walls of bigotry and injustice, raises the watchfire of consciousness, and turns hate into ashes and smoke. Who else but you? Your hands– your feet– your heart– your love. You (and those you bring along) are the ones called to sustain the fire of His love in the world.
This is the fiftieth letter of The Rising Leader Series. Just two letters remain. Allow me to offer you a few simple words to live by. I have offered them before, in earlier letters. It all comes down to this:
Leader of goodness,
Go in faith
To love and heal the world
The moment is now. Act for the good. Love exuberantly, one soul at a time. Only for God, His people and His world.
"And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us. And we saw the glory of it, as the glory of the only begotten Son of the Father, which word was full of grace and truth... And of his fullness we have all received, even grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."-- John 1:14-17
Yours (just one more twig of kindling for God’s holy fire),
Tom
(For past letters and songs go to: TomMohr.com. To add people to the mailing list, click here.)
Previous Weeks' Letters:
Week 37: Church Discipleship Week 38: Community: Race Week 39: Community: Charity Week 40: Chance Week 41: Conscience