As Christmas quickly approaches, I wanted to take a few minutes to share my thoughts. My thoughts have been so consumed recently with life, work, and some physical issues. I had a heart attack the week of Thanksgiving, which has given me even more to think about. God protected my life and all is okay. As all of these things swirl around in my head, I search for the simplicity of life and renewing my passion for the Baby at the manger. As I have been resting and focusing on my health, I haven’t decorated for Christmas – just seemed like a lot of effort when I wasn’t having people over for any party or anything. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no scrooge. I love Christmas – I just haven’t expressed it this year as most people do with the decorations, pictures of Santa, and multitudes of presents, Christmas carols, and Christmas lights. I contemplate on what Christmas is really about – to me it is about setting aside all of these thoughts and struggles and responsibilities of work and home and life and choosing to meditate on the Child in the manger. When all is said and done, all of these things occupying my thoughts won’t matter. The basis of my identity lies in Exodus 9:16 “But I have raised you up[a] for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” God has a purpose for my life and your life that has not been completed, a purpose the enemy cannot thwart or derail no matter how he tries. Simplicity: God created me to demonstrate His power and proclaim His name throughout the earth! It is all for His glory! Maybe you are struggling in life this Christmas season: conflicts or struggles in family, relationships, work, addictions, stress, physical health issues, despair. Maybe life is simply overwhelming and you feel paralyzed. In John 10:10, we are told how the enemy comes to kill and destroy – he comes to derail us, to attack us with doubt, self-pity, depression, confusion and to take our focus off of Jesus. He disturbs our sleep, causes chaos and seems unrelenting at times. But, the Truth is that God came to give us life and life more abundantly. He has a purpose for your life this Christmas season. He wants to show you the depth of His love and to demonstrate His glory through every trial or difficulty you are facing!! We are not victims of the enemy! Because of Jesus, we are victors!
Revelation 12:10-12 (NIV)
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death.
12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens
and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
because he knows that his time is short.”
Remember, the enemy knows his time is short! Maybe you wonder, “why on earth do I blog and how can I be so transparent?” We overcome the enemy by the blood of Jesus and the word of our testimony! God has, is, and will bring glory to His Name out of every trial I have walked and will walk through while I am on this earth! It is all for HIS glory! NOTHING IS WASTED! As you approach Christmas this season, remember the purpose for which you were created and the power you have through the blood of Jesus and the word of your testimony! To HIM be all glory forever and ever and ever. Amen!
God has truly given you the ability to express yourself through the written word. Thank you for using that ability and talent to speak to the rest of us.