READ: EPHESIANS 2: 1-10
God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this is a gift from God. (V. 8)
The small house was the operational base for a small local charity that focused on giving troubled young men a chance to rebuild their shattered lives. These young men were from poverty ridden and high crime neighborhoods. The had regular contact with the criminal justice system and never experienced academic nor personal success. Living quietly along the banks of Seneca Creek, just off the Potomac River, they were now valued members of a loving family. They had a family that encouraged and tutored them and also held them accountable for their behavior and academic work. They were given a rare second chance to succeed in a world that hardly knew of their existence.
I was privileged to meet these young men during my participation in “Leadership Montgomery.” An integral part of this one-year experience was to expose its participants to areas of our county where we could use our positions of influence to make a meaningful difference. Following the boy’s presentation to our large group, some of us committed to providing them with needed Christmas gifts. We raised the money from our friends and community contacts to buy the boys gifts from their “wish lists.” Then, being an Assistant Chief of Police, I recruited a large burly motorcycle officer to dress as Santa along with some “police elves,” outfitted for the occasion, to distribute the presents to the boys. Santa arrived amid an array of flashing lights and blaring sirens. Instead of being taken away in handcuffs, seven surprised young men welcomed “Santa Cop” and his entourage into their home. Lives were changed that evening. The encouragement, love and compassion exhibited by the givers and receivers for each other far outweighed the material content of any present.
Like the young men trying to gain a new lease on life, we often feel doomed to failure and heartache. We frequently let sin and Satan direct our chosen paths. It is easy to get caught up in a circle of wrong behaviors stimulated by our living environments and attitudes. The difficult part is breaking out of the circle, a feat we can never achieve on our own no matter how hard we try! However, if we reach out and fully accept the free gifts of mercy, grace, love and salvation given to us by God through Christ—then all things become possible. Circles of hopelessness and despair are broken forever by the Blood of the Lamb.
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
Seven young men, seeking redemption, had their hopes and dreams buoyed by some gifts from a few people who told them their lives matter. God gave us the ultimate gift—his Son Jesus. Can there ever be a doubt how much we mean to him?
Dear Jesus, thank you for giving your life for our sins. Open our hearts each day to receive your life altering gifts of redemption, mercy, peace and love.