I describe this because in the last few months, many in this industry have been laid off, punctuated by the firing of 1,850 or some people from a major radio company in the last couple of days. They are great people who worked on their craft in a very specialized field, considering the number of radio stations in each city.

I have been through similar situations in the past, some very recent, and I was struck with this verse when I read it on the day that those that I know are hurting were laid off:

5 But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. Genesis 45:5 (NLT)

In this case, Jacob had been thrown in a pit by his brothers, sold into slavery by them and taken to Egypt. But from that, he had worked his way out of all this, been thrown in jail in the meantime, and still found his way to be the number 2 guy in Egypt, despite being Hebrew. 

But most of all, he forgives his brothers for letting him go. We are meant to do what God wants us to. If radio is it, you will find your way back, but a layoff will not stand in your way. It may be the change that you need. I know it has been for me. I am excited because I believe that I am going to be able to help those in need, in all media  industries and more. Bring it on!

There are so many examples of this in the Bible, but none better than Abram. In Genesis 15, God speaks to Abram:

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” Genesis 15:1 ESV

Abram had just turned down a great reward from the king of Sodom. How hard must it have been to turn that down? But here, God is telling him that there is even greater reward! Then God let’s him know that his offspring will outnumber the stars, as the guy is in his 90’s. If you have been trying to have children for that long, it’s pretty easy to see that you would think that it is not going to happen. Yet, with faith, anything is possible. We see here that we are rewarded for our faithfulness:

 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6 ESV

How cool is that? Personally, from my reads, I know that God has something cooking for me. I don’t know what it is yet, but by faith I know that it is going to happen. It’s probably something that nobody, even myself, would think possible from me. But, I have faith that it will happen and I am fired up! How exciting is that? I’ll keep you posted…

7 So theLord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.”  Genesis 6:7 ESV

I found it ironic after reading this verse that this story is used all the time in children’s ministries. I missed this part of the story when I went to sunday school. The reason for the Ark story is because God is sick of the sexual depravity and violence that was going on. I just got a kick out of it. I don’t remember that part when I was a kid.

5 And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him. Genesis 7:5 ESV

This verse really hit home with me. In making the Bible read a habit, God seems to stir in me (and hopefully you) things that I need to do. And to be quite honest, sometimes I am confused by it. But like Noah, I need to be ready to get on it, despite what anybody thinks. Can you imagine how different Noah had to be from what was going on? It’s hard. The Bible says it all the time, but we have to be able to things that others might think are weird or wrong.

16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Luke 3:16 ESV

In this passage, John is bringing the Good News to the crowd and they are digging him, maybe thinking that he is the Savior. It would probably be pretty easy for him to get caught up in the frenzy and think it had something to do with himself. But, he knows where it is coming from. Jesus is the one for them to follow, not John. I hope that I never forget that too. It’s all about Jesus and I am just lucky enough to talk about it. We are all so lucky.

“I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing;
in pain you shall bring forth children.”

Ladies, being a man and having been through this process a couple of times, I can tell you that it is torture for us too. Being with the woman that we have become one flesh with (Genesis 2:24) going through that hurts beyond belief. But, I get it: we will never go through that kind of pain and I am not going to argue. Trust me, we feel the pain, but just in another way.

Which leads me to Luke 2 where Joseph and Mary need to travel to Bethlehem for the census. . Having read the story numerous times during the Christmas holiday, we tend to focus on the birth of our Savior and the joy that it brings to us, which we should. But reading tonight, I started to think about what Joseph and Mary had to go through. Can you imagine:

• Joseph: Ah Mary, we have to go to Bethlehem to register for the census. Are you ready to go?
• Mary: WHAT? I am going to give birth any time and we have to go WHERE?
• Joseph: Yeah, Bethlehem. I know it is going to be tough riding a donkey 20 miles, but we have to do it. I will do everything I can to make it better for you.
• Mary: How about you try carrying God’s child for nine months and then ride 20 miles on the back of a donkey? That would help. And by the way, where are we going to stay?
• Joseph: Um, I’m not sure. We can find somewhere to stay when we get there…

Well, you know the rest of the story and if you don’t, check it out. They stay in a manger because the inns are all full. And at the end of the day, it is a beautiful thing. After all of that, the shepherds tell Mary about what the angel told them and she is full of joy:

19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. (Luke 2:19 ESV)

Then when Simeon, a man who had the Holy Spirit upon him says:

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32 ESV)

Joseph and Mary feel the ultimate joy:

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. (Luke 2:33 ESV)

You may be asking, what is your point? What I got out of today’s read is that from the hardest trials that we have to go through (chid birth is one of them from what I read) come the greatest rewards and from humble beginnings come great things. No matter what you are going through, that little baby can give you hope and you can get through anything, considering what his parents went through to get him here. Thanks Mary and Joseph.

The start of the current reading plan was Genesis 1&2 and Luke 1. It was Genesis that got my attention tonight as it is the beginning, and we are beginning the new year. What struck me was God’s organization. Everything was laid out in order and done at the right time:

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. Genesis 1:3-4 (ESV)

As we embark on the journey in 2009, let us see the light. The light of God’s love and how we can love to shine the light throughout the year. I find it ironic that many are so hopeful this year because of a new leader in the U.S. when we should be looking at the true light every year. That is why I am hopeful this year, to shine the light of Jesus on even more people. I believe it will be a good year.

2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. Genesis 2:2 (ESV)

And I pray this year we can work hard on what God wants us to do. Like my office, we all need to look back and appreciate what we have done. I know I need the rest to keep on working!

So may we get organized this year, work hard for what is right and see the light of hope to make this a great year. It’s already off to a good start and I am thankful that I can journey along with you.