A Paddle Board Santa (Dec 23)

In December of 2011, I made a trip down to Orlando, FL, to work on a project at one of my company’s offices.  Before we really got into the thick of the project, I had a little bit of spare time to drive around a see a few sights.  Shortly after I arrived, I drove out to Daytona Beach, and then went up and down the coast.  While I was there, I got out and was walking around in one of the parks and taking some photos.  The city was gearing up for some sort of holiday cultural festival, and there were all sorts of things in the park.  Then as I looked out over the water, I saw Santa on a paddle board, out in the river.  I had never seen such a thing.  Santa is supposed to be in a sleigh, surrounded by lots of snow.  Later, as I headed over to my hotel on International Drive, I saw a huge Christmas tree, all decorated with ornaments and lights, but it looked so out of place with no snow.  When I got to work on Monday morning, the office was all decorated for Christmas.  Even though it was December and Christmas was fast approaching, I guess it was something about seventy five and sunny that it just didn’t feel like it was Christmas.  As I talked with folks that live down there, I realized that this is perfectly normal for them.  To them, in their situation, this is Christmas.  I was in an unfamiliar environment and climate.  It was not a place or situation where I expected to see Santa, but he showed up, all the same.  It was, after all, Christmas.

The same is even truer of God, of course.  You see, God meets us in all situations.  He understands all circumstances.  God has a provision for all needs.  You may be in a place or in circumstances where one might not expect to see God, but He has a way of seeking out and saving the lost.  I know that God is above all circumstances that I might run across in my life.  But I also have to believe that He is above all completely different circumstances that you might run across in life.  I expect to see Santa bundled up in a blustery blizzard.  Floridians expect to see him paddle boarding in the sunny surf.  Neither is more “correct.”  Christmas comes to all corners of the world.  Just as Christmas comes to warm climates and cold alike, God pours out His Spirit on all flesh.

Your situation is not too difficult.  Your circumstances are not too foreign.  Your culture or personality is not too incompatible.  God loves you.  He has a place and a purpose for you.  And He has provision for your need.  So turn to Him.  It doesn’t matter if you’re in the darkest, coldest place in life, or if you’re experiencing bright skies and clear sailing.  God will meet you and draw you into His heart.  You will have Christmas in your heart—the coming of the Lord!