Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I will do something new,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it?
I will even make a roadway in the wilderness,
Rivers in the desert.
West Virginia has a lot of rough roads.Some are narrow and twisty, some are bumpy and covered in potholes, and quite a few are all of these.Anyone who has shared space on a back road in winter with a coal truck knows that roads can be dangerous.
But not every road is like that.Some roads are smooth and straight, with new asphalt humming under your tires. The driving is easy and the miles disappear behind you. The scenery is beautiful, trees green in summer, vibrant in the fall, stark in winter, and radiant in spring.
All of us travel these roads in life.Some of us are fortunate.Our roads are nice and wide, with fresh pavement and good tires.We speed along, singing with our favorite songs, an easy drive to wherever we care to go.
But for others, the drive is not so pleasant or carefree.The roads are hard, pitted and worn.We drive with fists clenched on the wheel, eyes swiveling, hunting any danger.Our engine may sputter, our tires could be bald.And sometimes, we make a mistake, and we get into an accident.
At the Clarksburg Mission, we believe that every person should have the chance to turn away from their past mistakes.Our residents are getting back behind the wheel, getting back on the road.Their road may be hard.Their road may be troubled.But they have their eyes on the destination.
Matthew 2:9-11
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
This Christmas, we all need to be reminded what our destination should be.Our residents are beginning to look to Jesus Christ, and in the process, build new roads for their lives.Our residents can rejoice with exceedingly great joy, knowing that where they are going matters.They can head toward new lives, knowing that despite whatever twists and detours and bumps they encounter, the destination will be worth everything.
This Christmas, please open your hearts to these people as they set off on their new journeys.Your financial support helps provide food, shelter, classes, and more as our residents begin changing their lives, and they head towards that glorious, joyful destination.
Luke 2:13-1713 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
Anything you can give this Christmas season can have a lasting impact on so many lives.Thank you, and may God bless you.