Painters & Pointers: December 8

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV)

 An old adage of working in groups is that there are generally two kinds of people in every group. First, you have the “paintbrush people,” those who like the big picture in broad, sweeping terms. Then, there are the “pencil point people” who want every detail, so they can put the pieces together themselves. Painters and Pointers. You know them both, and so does the God who wants to reveal Himself to them.

 To the broad-brush Painter People, what has been the ongoing ever-present problem that continually vexes their hearts? They know that something is not right. They feel distance, uncertainty, and just plain fear, deep in their being. But they can’t identify it.

 The Pencil-Point People are already well on their way to filling that void. They try this, and then try that, and then try this again, from fitness programs to wellness programs to new friends, new jobs, new pursuits, and maybe this time, I will find the answer.

 The message of Advent is that God has intervened, to address the needs of both Painters and Pointers. Jesus Christ, the Son of God is held out in the Scriptures as the Center of all history who came to a specific place and time to do one thing: enable anyone and everyone to have a restored relationship with the God who created each and every person.

God so loved the world… and God has so loved you. And He desires to bring you into His family, through faith in Jesus Christ. Christ died for all, and Christ died for you.

 Lord God, open my heart to the welcome news of forgiveness and restoration through faith in Jesus, Amen.

Rev. Robert Gebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin