Absolutely Blown Away

This time of year the Bennett family, not unlike your family, is scurrying around trying to prepare for Christmas. We want this season to be festive, meaningful, as well as a time when we give gifts to those with whom we are closest. In saying that, however, I have a confession to make... “Over the years, there have been times when I haven’t put as much time, effort, and thought into getting a meaningful gift for some of the people who mean the most in my life… I’ve actually taken the presents I have received from years past, rewrapped them, and passed them along to some of you… Of course you don’t know who you are unless I happened to mess up and give you back the same gift you gave to me… I hope not!” Why did I suddenly have the urge to confess that to you? Probably because of what I have experienced this past week... I have been overwhelmed with the generous gifts of several people this past week. Wait… Overwhelmed just doesn’t convey the correct picture of what has happened… I have been absolutely blown away!
Something happened that has profoundly affected my attitude towards giving this year. I believe I have experienced something akin to what Donald Miller writes about in his book Blue Like Jazz. A certain incident in his life changed his perspective on giving forever. He writes: “For my mother that year I had purchased a shabby Christmas gift—a book, the contents of which she would never be interested in. I had had a sum of money with which to buy presents, and the majority of it I used to buy fishing equipment... I drifted in and out of anxious sleep, and this is when it occurred to me that the gift I had purchased for my mother was bought with the petty change left after I had pleased myself. I realized I had set the happiness of my mother beyond my own material desires. This was a different sort of guilt from anything I had previously experienced. It was a heavy guilt, not the sort of guilt that I could do anything about. It was a haunting feeling, the sort of sensation you get when you wonder whether you are two people, the other of which does things you can't explain, bad and terrible things. The guilt was so heavy that I fell out of bed onto my knees and begged, not a slot-machine God, but a living, feeling God, to stop the pain. I crawled out of my room and into the hallway by my mother's door and lay on my elbows and face for an hour or so, going sometimes to sleep, before finally the burden lifted and I was able to return to my room. We opened the rest of our gifts the next morning, and I was pleased to receive what I did, but when my mother opened her silly book, I asked her forgiveness, saying how much I wished I had done more. She, of course, pretended to enjoy the gift, saying how she wanted to know about the subject.” (Blue Like Jazz, p.9-10)
How many times have we done something like Donald describes? Aw, come on now... You might as well admit it... Even when we know that we're supposed to think more of others than we do ourselves and give unselfishly at all times, we still mess it up - at least I know I do... But every now and then we meet people who consistently do more than just talk about the life of Christ and the principles of Christianity – they live their words. Such is the case with the FM radio station, 106.9, The Light. Over the years I have been associated with various entities who claim the name of Jesus as their “Marque”. Unfortunately, many of these organizations use the banner of Christianity as a “lure” to raise funds for their own selfish pursuits. How refreshing to know that the people at 106.9, The Light are not that way. In fact, I truly believe they epitomize the unselfish love and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. These folks truly believe that God has given them the privilege of giving, supporting and enabling the ministry of grace in far reaching circles... and they're willing to "get their hands dirty" to see it happen.
Tuesday, Dec. 11th, I spent the day with Matt Stockman, Carol Davis, Jim Kirkland, Tom Greene, Alice Knighten, and many other people from 106.9, The Light, raising support for Vision Nicaragua, a local mission organization that ministers to the people of Central America – specifically Nicaragua. It’s amazing to me that a radio station would feel compelled to give away their air time to assist another organization in receiving support from their radio audience. What’s more amazing is that the entire 106.9 team joyously participated with us in promoting, assisting and receiving the thousands of dollars in donations - and 100% of the funding was turned over to the missions efforts of Vision Nicaragua! There was no hidden agenda. Vision Nicaragua wasn’t a “Marque” to drum up more support for 106.9, The Light. Everyone at the radio station was genuinely behind this effort and saw the entire event as an opportunity to return a portion of that which has been entrusted to them, back to the “Kingdom of God”. As a result, more than 2000 children, orphans, and homeless youth will be ministered to in the unknown villages of Bethel, Trojillo, Santa Maria, La Breeza, Mocoron and Chonco, Nicaragua. The radio station 106.9, The Light didn’t give from their “left-overs” or rewrap a “White Elephant” gift they wanted to get rid of… they gave from their hearts – liberally, joyfully, and sacrificially.
I’m reminded of a comment from another Christian Radio host who said, “I can’t believe you all give away an entire day of your Sharathon to another ministry!” Well, believe it pal! They did… And I know God is going to open up the windows of heaven and continue to pour out blessings upon this station and the BGEA. Folks, this is the kind of Christian radio station we should stand behind 100%. They definitely promote the truth and the light of Jesus Christ – not just in their words, but also in their deeds. They have my support, prayers, and loyalty. I am humbled by their heart and love for the ministries of Christ. Thank you all for your kindness…
Now I think I have some Christmas gifts I need to purchase… I also have a few “White Elephants” I need to unwrap.

Posted in: Christlikeness, Christmas, Giving, Sacrifice