‘Tis the Season for Toys or Tools?

'Tis the season for love, peace, and joy. There is no kindness like Christmas kindness. People come together, help others, and serve this time of year. Christians and non-Christians alike. However, even in the midst of it all, we can still focus on ourselves and forget the true meaning of Christmas. The latest video game system comes out. A card game or a board game that captures our attention. Before long our Christmas list is longer than the time spent investing in those around us. 

God created each and every one of us with interests and talents. However, we are to use these for the Lord and serve Him. If we allow ourselves to place the things we enjoy above Him, then we will not be able to truly worship Him. My husband is a pastor and chaplain. Yet, there is so much more to him behind the person people see on the surface. He is a Star Trek loving, Minecraft playing, comic book collecting “nerd” who loves playing board games and video games with his family and friends. He is always looking for the latest Spiel des Jahres board game winner or when the next Marvel movie will come out. All of these things make him personal and drawn to other people. However, he never loses sight of the mission at hand: to know God and make Him known. So he uses these things to build relationships and draw people to the Father. This is how every believer should see the material things in life: a way to lead people to the Giver of life. 

Spend some time this Christmas focusing on what really matters. When you are making your list, make it with others in mind who may not know the Lord. What board game will draw others in? What video game can I talk about with someone who doesn’t know the Lord? The fun things in life can turn into an evangelism tool that will attract non-believers to the greatest joy of all: God the Father.