What Is On God's Mind?

With just over a week before Christmas, the shopping malls are a buzz of activity. Retailers are trying hard to separate shoppers from their hard-earned dollars, and astute shoppers are mall hopping in search of the best deals. In some places the strains of Christmas carols seem to be everywhere, much to the delight of those who love this time of year and to the chagrin of those who are thinking "enough already!" Some people bemoan the commercialization of Christmas, and with good reason. For the most part, it seems many people have forgotten what it is all about.

Christians, generally speaking, are not immune from being caught up in the pre-Christmas hustle and bustle. Yet as we go about shopping for gifts for the people in our lives we hold dear, and making plans for family dinners and get-togethers, I find myself wondering, "What would be on God's mind?" In Matthew 25, after a series of parables, we read of Jesus telling His disciples about the separation of nations as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats; the sheep on the right and the goats on the left (vv. 31-33). The narrative continues, "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (vv. 34-40, KJV).

I believe what is on God's mind is that as we prepare for Christmas, let us take some time to remember those who are less fortunate. Maybe we can buy an extra gift to donate to a toy drive, donate some food to our local food banks, or reach out to someone or a family in need. It will not ruin your Christmas. I guarantee you, it will make you feel a lot better to know you have made a difference in at least one person's life.

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Our challenge is to go out there and do it.