The Greatest Gift
A Christmas reflection from Freedom Challenge Director, Tina Yeager
Today I read an article about a girl named Salma. She was forced to marry a 47-year-old man at the age of 16. Why? Due to her family circumstances, her mom felt like this was the better option for her daughter. Can you imagine? I can’t even imagine doing this to one of my daughters.
What if...?
After I read this article I began to ponder a few things. What if I had been born in a different country than the USA or I wasn’t encouraged to get an education? Would I be forced to make the tough decisions some of the mothers we serve have to make? These thoughts led me to stop and pray for those children that are born in to such unfortunate circumstances that they feel they have no other choice.
Will you take a moment to lift up the thousands of children that miss their childhoods because they are forced into marriage at such a tender age? Thank you for praying! I encourage you to set a goal to pray every day for the 45.8 million people trapped in slavery and oppression around the world.
Feeling grateful
Together we can make a huge impact. Prayer is the number one key to fighting these atrocities. As I thought of those we challenge ourselves on behalf of, I have to admit, it left me feeling grateful for all that our family has, especially our freedom. I am so thankful I was born in a free country and we have the privilege to pray, worship and share Jesus with all. He is true FREEDOM.
Friends, this Christmas season, let us focus on staying in a state of gratitude and look around us for opportunities to serve him by loving on those in need. “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him,” 1 Timothy 1:12 (NLT).
What a gift!
This time of year can be hectic and many people lose the focus on why we are celebrating Christmas. Our Savior came in the form of a child, so that we could be saved. Knowing Jesus is the greatest gift we can receive. “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
Wow, what a gift we have been given! I am so grateful for our Savior’s love. Despite all our weaknesses, he loves us unconditionally, created us as masterpieces to do his work (Ephesians 2:10) and he has great plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11).
On behalf of The Freedom Challenge, Operation Mobilization-US and all those involved in the Freedom Challenge, we wish you and your family a Very Merry Christmas!
May the Lord of Lords give you great joy, peace, love and laughter this holiday season!
Much Love,
Tina Yeager