Celebrating Christ

It's a quiet Monday morning, three days past Christmas Day and three days until New Year's Eve. The gifts have been exchanged and left overs eaten, though a few treats still linger. We imagine in our minds what 2021 holds, as 2020 has been a challenge for many. We want the next thing, something new. But, are we ready?

Anticipation and hope for the future give us motivation to move forward. "Finishing is better than starting..." (Ecclesiastes 7:8) But as that verse concludes, "...Patience is better than pride." We often live life in what I will call the "Milestone Mindset", focused on the next big thing. Is Christmas the last time you will think about Jesus until Easter? We had big plans for 2020. Did they work out how you expected?

2020 did not work out how I expected, but it was exactly what my life needed. It brought things into focus for me; it gave me 20/20 vision so to speak. The American Optometric Association deems 20/20 vision as "the clarity or sharpness of vision measured at a distance of 20 feet." They go on to explain, "having 20/20 vision does not necessarily mean you have perfect vision." My 20/20 vision has shown me clarity in my life will only be obtained by focusing on God, through reading the Bible, prayer in the name of Jesus Christ and meditation on the Word. In doing this, He shows me what I need to see, when I need to see it. Only His plan is the path that is perfect for me and I will complete it in His strength and timing if I let Him work in my life. I do not need to see more than what He has revealed to me to follow Him because of the trust that has been developed by me really knowing Him now! I thank Him for what He has done and what He will do. I am now ready for what lies ahead because I am yoked with Him.

I have been able to see so much this year that I would have missed without this clarity I have gained by focusing on Him and not doing things my own prideful way! I also saw more because I slowed down and didn't get ahead of Him! The more you believe in Him, the more you see! His ways are not our ways! (Isaiah 55:8) As you gain clarity, you will experience that what we "see" isn't always with just our eyes in the traditional sense, but also with the eyes of our heart (Ephesians 1:18). When John the Baptist and Jesus Christ were both in their mothers’ wombs, John the Baptist leaped at the presence of the Lord (Luke 1:41). Do you realize you are always in the presence of the Lord? How do you respond?

I absolutely wish you a Happy New Year! I pray that your heart keeps expecting great things because we serve an awesome God! And while the holidays and special events in life are meant to be enjoyed, having a "Milestone Mindset", living for only those big moments, will keep you from living a full life. Every moment is a gift and an opportunity to live our purpose to glorify God! He loved us so much that He sent His only Son to save us! Be prepared to accept what God wants to do in your life by surrendering your life to Him! Jesus Himself said "...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) Let's not just celebrate Jesus on Christmas and Easter. Let us celebrate Christ daily for His sacrifice and enjoy all that He has promised us, no matter the circumstance, here on Earth and into eternity! So, Happy Monday!!! "This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)