Connect the dots.

I can remember as a kid loving the coloring books that had the pages where there were only dots on the page. To see the picture, you had to connect the dots. Most times, I would connect the correct dots to create the image, but there were times I drew off course, or missed a dot. I could still tell what the image was, but it wasn’t perfect.

As Christians, some think that you have to do everything perfectly. They will drain their energy on religious activities, instead of meeting the needs of others. It’s good to be involved in church activities, just don’t let it distract you from the mission.

I heard a pastor compare this analogy, by watching a congregation spend several hours and days, practicing for a big holiday production. When this pastor asked, “what would happen if you took that same group of people to visit a nursing home or feed the homeless?” He replied, “because I can’t get them to do that.” The take-away is people will spend endless hours to dress up like rudolph, but won’t give a few hours to help those less fortunate.

I’m not bashing on holiday plays, etc. The church I attend does a great job at doing both. We always have a wonderful Christmas play and musical that tells the story of Jesus, and we also have several groups evangelizing, discipling and serving others, throughout the year.

I may not do it right every day, but I do try to put Christ first and He always connects me to the right people and the right places, where I can show His love to others.

Proverbs 16:27-29 - “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece. An evil man sows strife; gossip separates the best of friends. Wickedness loves company—and leads others into sin.”