Christmas Gift

As 2013 comes to an end and we welcome 2014, I am amazed at how fast time is flying by. I always found it hard to believe that time would go by quicker as I got older, but as I write this, I've come to realize that it is more true than ever. Leaving behind a year and welcoming another can bring about regrets of the past, what ifs of the present, and resolutions for the future. I think sometimes we get so caught up in going, doing, and being in the holiday season that we forget to just enjoy. Enjoy our families and friends, enjoy the time, enjoy the things we've already been blessed with, and most importantly, enjoy the One who has given us all of those things. It's so much easier to enjoy when we take a minute (or a few hours) to simply take it all in. Sometimes the gift of time is more valuable than the gift of money, the gift of laughter can overshadow a last minute deal, and undivided attention can uplift a spirit far more than a half-hearted attempt at connection via text.

This Christmas, as my family gathered at grandma and grandpa's house, my grandma asked each grandchild to share what God was showing or teaching us in 2013. As revelation made its way around the circle from the mouth of a 7 year old to 27, we all received far more than material gifts could ever give. There wasn't a dry eye in the room of about twenty. My grandparents have raised us into a godly and rich inheritance that is founded in Christ and we were all able to see it first hand as it poured out of the hearts of each one that shared. I am so thankful for that exchange and the presence of God as we gathered on Christmas day. It will be one I remember forever and that is far more precious than the most expensive material gift I could ever receive.

Let's Get Serious

Jeremiah 29:11-13 I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.“When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me.“Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” God’s Decree.

Jeremiah 29:11 is such a well known verse among the church today. It is woven into inspiring-everything's-going-to-be-great-because-God-has-a-plan kind of messages. Yes, God has a plan. Is it a good plan? Absolutely. But what about the second half of the verse about pursuing God with everything we have? He's calling us to find him in our day-to-day lives, not just when we want to know what's next in his grand plan for our lives. Find means to locate, attain or obtain by search or effort.

Have you ever lost something important to you? Did you sit on the couch and expect to find it? Of course you didn't! You probably went out and looked for whatever was missing in every possible place it could be. To find something that you have lost requires some search and effort on your part. God is asking the same of his people. It's time we start realizing the things that we are missing in our lives spiritually and seek to find God more than we want to find anything else. What is the benefit? You will not be disappointed. God's decree.