As
exhausting as all the busyness is, I know it's all worth it. Struggling
families will be getting assistance and generous donors are ensuring
that I still have a job to do as I process monetary gifts and take care
of business. The ministry goes on because of this "wonderful" but busy
time of year. God supplies all the strength and endurance I need to
persevere through a long December; even with an ongoing cold & cough
that is only now starting to taper off. I truly can do all things
through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). Jesus is the one
that propels me onward. He keeps me looking forward to the mystery and
hope of the upcoming new year as the current one wraps up. What a
blessing it is to see the world through "Kingdom" lenses; an eternal
perspective. Christ is my confidence! He gives me peace and joy even on
the most weary days.
The
only thing that sometimes gets me down is when I become aware of the
emptiness and sadness of others. Christmas and New Year's doesn't look
bright and shiny to them. Fear has drowned out Hope because they have
forgotten (or don't know) His name. The holidays have come at a bad time because they've
just lost a job, a home, a loved one, or maybe more than one of those
things at once. They may be dealing with a severe illness or injury, an
addiction, or financial struggles. They may be a veteran struggling to
overcome PTSD and are still fighting a war; the fight for the will to
live. Some have buried parents, siblings, and even babies and children.
Others have friends and relatives who are incarcerated; whether
literally, figuratively, or both.
The
scenarios I mentioned all have names and faces attached to them; most of them are the people I listen to, hug, and pray with when they're coming in for help. You
may not know the ones I know, but chances are you know someone who is
going through this kind of pain and grief (maybe it's you). It's far too
easy for Satan to use these tragedies for his gain; all he has to do is
keep the focus on the problems rather than the One who solves them. He
cleverly keeps our attention fixed inward rather than upward; on that
next fix, hook up, lottery ticket, shopping spree, or alcoholic
beverage. It's all about keeping you obsessed with filling
the void; returning to empty wells or salt water that can't quench or
satisfy. In fact, some of those wells are downright contaminated with poison; yet the compulsion to draw from them remains and the cycle
continues. The negative emotions and depression deepens and digs its
hooks deeper into your soul; becoming more and more of a stronghold and
stumbling block.
Grace and peace to you, my dear friends! Please, pray for those that are seeking, hurting, grieving, and needing to know the hope and joy that the Prince of Peace brings. In this season of giving, look for every opportunity to do the most good. Give spare change to the Salvation Army red kettles (or volunteer to ring the bell!!), adopt a family for Christmas, donate food to the pantry, smile at strangers, visit a nursing home, etc. As John Wesley said: "Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can." Don't waste a moment to make an impact! Be the hope of Jesus everywhere you go; through your words and actions. Love well! Additionally, if you are reading this and are desperate for the hope and peace I've shared about, please comment or contact me. I would love to listen to your heart, hear your story, and pray for you! God bless you!