Christmas And New Year's
What Christmas present do we really want? Upon surveying my present needs, I lack for nothing; I have plenty of food, enough clothes to keep me warm, a house to protect me from the weather, a computer to keep me informed and help me to communicate, a cell phone to keep in touch, a wonderful wife and family, friends, and a great church. So, what could I possibly want that money can buy?
The things that I want this year really aren’t things.
I really want peace: peace in the world, peace among nations, peace in congress, peace in communities, peace among churches, peace within churches, peace in families. I just want peace.
I really want joy. I want joy in relationships where, even if I don’t agree with someone, I can see that God created him/her and find joy in his soul. I want joy inside – in my Spirit. I want joy in activities such as work. I want joy in the little things that cause me to smile. I want joy in reading and studying. I want joy in seeing God working in the struggles of everyday life. I want joy in others.
I want love, and I want to love. I want to love others who wouldn’t otherwise be designated as “loveable.” I want to love someone in spite of the tension of the moment. I want to love according to God’s scale and not mine. I want to love the “ugly” things of life. I want to love my enemies. I want to love the hard times. I want to love the efforts and intentions of people and their results. I want to love interruptions. I want to love my sacrifices. I want to love my afflictions. I want to love misunderstandings. I want to love myself even though the “unlovable” parts stare me in the face every day. I want to love God more than myself.
As I write these things, I see that these are Christmas presents that I can use throughout my life – they needn’t be forgotten or discarded or worn out. They can easily be used as New Year resolutions every year. Of course, the above list only scratches the surface of things that I want, really want, but this is a start. As I grow in my relationship with Christ, that list will ever increase as true, Godly wants become apparent.
Join me in praying for God’s will to be done in our lives and in the life of Mount Pisgah Church. May the Lord give us all His peace, joy and love now and forever.
Grace and peace,
Ted