Occasionally I read in our local paper about some young man or woman who, in the process of serving our nation, has won an award such as a “Purple Heart” or a “Bronze Star”. As I understand, these awards are given for great acts of bravery and sacrifice. I don’t possess any statistics regarding these awards but it would seem to me that a large percentage of them are awarded to soldiers under the rank of a Captain and soldiers that are stationed outside of the United States. It is those proverbial “front-line” soldiers that are in a position to achieve such awards.
It is a reminder to me that often the greatest opportunities in life are mostly available to what appears to be the common and less celebrated positions in life. I do not wish to detract from the importance of leadership and the behind-the-scenes folks, but we need to stop occasionally and celebrate “where the work is done”. As we approach Christmas, my thoughts go to many homes where certain chairs will be empty this Christmas and also to the homes where profound disabilities will be present due to heroic and sacrificial service. Do you have touch with such a home? Christmas is a good time to say thank you to those who have born a greater price for our security and peace.
My purpose however in writing this morning is to remind us that much of the great work of Christ in not accomplished in our Church buildings, but rather in our work places, our neighborhoods and in our normal associations with folks. We have great potential in the “every-day” matters of life. Let's do it well.
