Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "Once In Royal David's City"1 (Lyrics) |
At this time of the year, churches all over the world are placing red and green cardboard boxes in their foyers. These are not ordinary boxes, but very special ones. Most people refer to them as the shoeboxes, but these boxes will never hold shoes. Yet, when filled with toys, small items of clothing, Bible verses, crayons, and prayers, these boxes will travel all over the world. If these boxes did contain shoes, they would never be able to walk the distances that these boxes will travel.
Micah 5:4 – He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness and will reach to the ends of the earth. (NIV)
On a designated Sunday, the children in worship bring forward these boxes, filled and ready to be sent forth on a mission to bring hope, love, and so much more than the contents of the boxes to children all over the world. As our pastor prays over these boxes that the children are holding in their arms, I am in awe, thinking of the lives that these boxes will touch.
Think of the logistics of moving these boxes from the vestibules at our churches in such a short time to the hands of children all over the world: the vision of a ministry started in 1990 with the supernatural power of Jesus, to move packages to the far reaches of the world. To date, over 100 million shoeboxes have been distributed.
As we enter this Christmas season, we can use these small boxes that will travel all over the world to share Jesus in a very big way with children who do not know Him. As we rub shoulders with family, friends, co-workers, and shop clerks, we can share Jesus by encouraging them to fill these boxes too.
1 John 4:14 – And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be Saviour of the world. (NIV)
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for coming to this earth as a baby for our salvation. Give us a boldness to share with family and friends about the shoeboxes and invite them to join us in filling them. Unite our hearts with Yours, that all will come to know the name of Jesus. In His name, we pray. Amen.
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Thanks for sharing Julie.
I would like contact info so that we may participate in the shoebox program.
Thanks!
Thanks Julie, the funny thing is our church just heard a story where a child got shoes (nothing else but a pair of shoes) in their box and was able to finally go to school because of that.
Hi Julie:
Thank you for today’s devotional. What is the official name of the shoebox ministry?
Thanks and blessings.
Good morning, Julie,
Thanks for writing about the shoeboxes. Our tiny, rural church has been a local depot for boxes for a number of years. A man who is now 90 began spearheading the idea in our area and last year we gathered in over a thousand boxes. This year he felt he could no longer be in charge of this project and we missed his organizational skills! Last week some of the folk from our church went to the warehouse in Kitchener to help with the checking of the boxes for customs. What a well run operation!
I always appreciate your devotionals. Thank you.
A very good devotion! And a good reminder that we touch so many lives — both with our daily interactions but also when we get involved with activities such as the Shoebox Christmas. We don’t always get to see the joy those boxes bring but sometimes we do. The first time my late husband and I did this, we received a photo of the young lad and his mother, who received our gift box, along with a note explaining about his family situation in his country. Seeing the photo and reading the note made our day.
Whether or not one receives a note and/or photo, this is a wonderful way to share with others who truly do appreciate those gifts that we pack in the boxes.
Do continue to write!
God bless!