This time of year is filled with Christmas traditions. One such tradition that I remember growing up is decorating the Christmas tree. We had boxes full of ornaments in our attic that we would bring down, sort through, and hang in just the right spot on the tree. Ornaments usually reflect your life, they tell a story. Often by looking at the ornaments one hangs on a tree, you can tell what is important to them. On our tree at home, we have ornaments that tell our story. We have some that have pictures of my nieces and family. We have some that tell of my wife's occupation as a nurse. We have some from Bucces, a must-stop destination on road trips. We have some that tell of our time living in Alabama and now South Dakota. Think about your tree, what story does it tell merely by the ornaments that hang on it? Each is unique and yours is not like mine. Just by the things that hang in pure sight, their is much insight into the details of your life.
Spiritually what ornaments do people see on you? What traits are visible to the eyes of others? What story do these things tell of the deeper things within you? We have to be careful about the things we put on for others to see, the traits that we carry around daily. The Bible tells us to be the lights of the world, but what do people see you bearing?
Look at what Paul says in Ephesians 5:1-21
"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:
“Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Notice the charge given to the church at Ephesus to walk in love (verses 1-7) walk in light (verses 8-14) and to walk in wisdom (verses 15-21). Do these three traits or characteristics apply to your life? Are these the things people see you displaying daily? If not why not? The charge given to the New Testament Christians at Ephesus is the same charge given to us today In a world full of sin and gloom we should have a life or a walk characterized by these three things. These things should define us and should be front and center. Do we actively wear these things as an ornament, that tells the world of something bigger than ourselves Jesus?
Ornaments are hand-picked and specifically placed to help to better tell our story. What things do you hand-pick and use to tell the story of the saving power of Jesus?
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