"CARDBOXES"
As I watch the news, local and national, I am reminded almost every day that not everyone has a roof over their head and a clean bed to lay on at night. Many of these people who live on the street have a cardboard box as shelter. How does this make you feel? This is a reality all over the country and world. Homeless; this is sad - heart breaking - I mean at Christmas time - well, at any time - it's a tragic thing to be without a home.
It is possible to be living in a mansion this Christmas, and yet be homeless - in the heart. I believe that there is this homing instinct that keeps us looking for a love that will fill the void in our heart, that will give us a safe and secure place in a lonely and disappointing world. But our lives are littered with temporary boxes that will only provide shelter that soon collapses around us.

But Christmas is much more, Christmas is about finally finding home. This is possible because the Son of God "became flesh and lived among us," John 1:14 says. When Jesus came, there was "no room" for Him in the inn. The Inn was packed out, and Jesus entered the "box" we live in, for this reason. "He left His home to bring us home." To bring us into a relationship He made for us. I mean a real relationship - one that disturbs "Our Comfort Zone." We were "created by Him and for Him." My friends, we are homeless when we are away from Him.

In reality, we are spiritually homeless by our own choice. All to often we have chosen the "card-board-box" to live our lives our own way instead of His way. The card-board-box will let you down. When it rains (trials come) the box will crumple around you. Just religion is not enough. My friends, "Christ died for our sins .. the righteous (Jesus) for the unrighteous (you & me), to ring us to God." (See 1 Pet. 3:18).
So He gave everything He had to bring us to God, He wants you to be with him forever. Isn't it time you gave Him what He died for? (Your self) Isn't it time you stopped looking for home and claim the home your heart is starved for?

If you have the assurance of the "Heavenly Home", Jesus has gone to prepare for you - all of us - remember, Christmas is about giving. God gave his Son, and His Son gave His life that we would not have to live in the "Cardbox" that will crumple.
I have visited in many a church over my 52 years as a Christian, and what I have witnessed is Christians in their "Comfort Zone," just me and mine. Beloved, move out of your comfort zone, share God's good news, Jesus is come that the dweller of card board box can finally experience the love made for him/her. And finally you will see your own cardbox becoming a real mansion.

Help someone this Christmas to move out of the cardbox into into a real mansion; you can, but you have to move out of your "Comfort Zone."