What if I could give you one idea, one thing, that would be the best gift this Christmas or make anyone’s New Year resolution so simple and just awesome?
What is it? Where can you buy it?
Mel Gibson.
Well, its not just Mel. It’s a verse from Scripture that I saw beautifully exposited in Mel’s latest movie, Hacksaw Ridge.
I don’t often get to see movies when they hit the big screen. But with wife away, I had the glorious opportunity of sitting in a cinema with a massive screen all to myself…almost. There was one dude who came in and put his feet on the seats near me…come on mate, there’s a whole cinema here…spread out dude. Then there was the chippy muncher who slid in a bit later. Followed by, as the movie started, the couple who thought it was Ok to chat for the first 3 minutes of Mel’s contemplative beginning where if you’re not careful you’ll miss the verse of Scripture that I’m so keen to share with you:
“Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no-one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength,
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint”
Isaiah 40:28-31
Familiar right?
A very famous passage, but how beautiful are those words.
So what's different about these familiar words that I feel so strongly about?
I want you to hold these dear wherever you are at this Christmas. Maybe everything is fine; maybe life is falling apart. The point is look at the vigour of young people, then realise that even they grow faint under the harshest circumstances. But not so those whose hope is in Jesus. You can be 102 or mid-llfe and fighting cancer. Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. You have to see the movie to see what I mean. When all the strong fail, the weak who have faith rise on the wings of eagles. True story, wonderful testimony.
Mel’s story is a war story, so girls, be warned this movie is pretty full on, may not be you're cup of tea, but for the men in your life, it’s worth the effort, if not for yourself. Make a good Chrissy gift for him. Definitely don’t take your kids.
The LORD, Jesus is the greatest gift. In the new year, make sure your hope, your strength remains in Him. He's more than a match for whatever is coming your way.
Thanks for sticking with us throughout 2016. What’s 2017 got in store for you?
I’m looking forward to next year. Anton’s got some big plans: Online content that will really benefit your family, your ministry. It’ll take time, but we’ll get there with your input. Exciting stuff.
But right now me and my family need some real R&R, so I’m gonna take a little break from blogging and catch up with you in the new year, January some time.
Merry Christmas from Anton, Stevo and Skito!
