Anybody running on empty today? Holidays have a way of depleting us and exhausting us. The huge Santa Claus in my neighbor’s yard confirms my worst fears as he lies face down on the ground. Even Santa can lose the Christmas spirit. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow described our day when he wrote almost two centuries ago, “There is no peace on earth, I said. For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, goodwill to men.”
In his gospel and in the sequel book of Acts, Luke gives us the phrase, “filled with the Spirit.” Elizabeth was filled with the Spirit when she saw Mary. Now Zechariah was filled with the Spirit. What do Spirit-filled people do? Zechariah prophesied. His prophecy began with praise to God who saves, shows mercy, remembers his promises and rescues his people. Then Zechariah used his words to envision a bright future for his son as a prophet of the Most High. God would fulfill his promises and purpose through the life of this baby boy. Zechariah’s prophecy came true. John’s ministry sparked a remarkable revival in Israel, preparing the people for the ministry of the Messiah, Jesus.
God envisions a bright future for us as his children, today. If we will receive it, each of us has a unique role to play in God’s great story of salvation. Filled with God’s Spirit, we get to announce forgiveness, mercy, and light to guide people into the path of peace. We can be the catalysts for a revival in our day if we are willing. The Spirit fills us with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.
Remember Thomas Merton’s painful indictment of us when he said, “We are not at peace with others because we are not at peace with ourselves. We are not at peace with ourselves because we are not at peace with God.” Jesus, the Way, is the path to peace. Are we going his way, today? Let’s become peacemakers in a warring world today. Let’s give Jesus to every person we meet. Jesus is all we have, and all everybody needs. He is enough to keep us from running on empty today.
