We live in a world where we are prone to overconsume, overproduce, and overachieve, which in turn creates us into an overwhelmed society. This information era…NO…let me rephrase that! This achievement era drives us to want more, to do more, and never stop. This go-go-go mentality on the coattail of “want”, creates a false sense of importance and temporary happiness that has the grave potential of leading to burnout.
We are on auto pilot 24-7 and losing perspective on why we are here on earth. We are going at a pace that prevents us from paying attention to people in need, which most of the time is our very own neighbor, or sadly, someone in our own home. We’ve established measures of success in every available global institution that glorifies being a human doer versus a human being!
In Mark 8:36, Jesus stated to the disciples and his followers this perspective on living, “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your soul”. This powerful question should penetrate our thoughts, hearts, and our motives behind what we do in our work and in our life. Is it for gain or is it to bless? Is it for fame or is it for God’s glory? Is it for personal achievement or is it for humble service? As we prepare for this Christmas season, is your motive about giving or receiving?
Christmas is a season where we need to stop with the worship of presents and put our worship in the presence of God.
The birth of Jesus over 2,000 years ago marked a triumphant point in this world where God’s amazing grace and agape love for His children would prevail over evil. Jesus was sent in human form to be a Savior, a sacrificial lamb, to those He calls His own. Anyone that professes and believes in Him and the resurrection, would be saved from their own sins and would then inherit eternal life. (John 3:16) This reality of knowing that believers in Him have been adopted into the heavenly Kingdom FOREVER excites me, even more during the Christmas holidays. I’m reminded that God’s ultimate gift to this world was His own son who would sacrifice his life to renew our relationship with Him. Not only that, He gave us a bonus gift, the Holy Spirit to reside in his children, so we would have a way to live in harmony with His will in a troubled world. Praise God!!
This Christmas, let’s not forget Christ. We can do this by giving new types of gifts that are already wrapped with God’s anointing and instructions.
Gift of Time
A lot of stress that drives people into a state of endless chaos is having too much on their plate and not enough time. The solution to this is simple math, remove the waste from the plate! Doing all and being all is not a necessary evil and I truly believe overwhelm can be fixed by simply stopping, reassessing the priorities on your schedule, and then removing anything from your list that is stealing your joy and is not part of God’s agenda. Take your time back as a gift, and then give it back to yourself repackaged in the forms of self-care: silence, worship of God, exercise, walking in nature, watching the sunrise or sunset, or reading the Bible. Do this refreshment daily, not just on the weekends or when you’re burned out.
Gift of Love
Being at home is not the same as being in the home. I know this to be true as a recovering overachiever. Giving time to your family consistently is giving love. To do this, establish personal boundaries that you can easily commit to for the sake of your family. It is the best way to give love to yourself and to those closest to you.
Gift of Joy
Joy get’s a false wrap in this world….it’s masked as happiness. Happiness relies on the circumstances of the world and is temporary. Joy is an inner eternal peace from God that isn’t swayed by external factors. So let me break this down into 5 truths from a biblical lens!
Joy is contentment! Philippians 4: 11-12, Paul states “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need”
Joy is hope! It comes every morning when we are able to open our eyes and realize another day has been gifted to us even through the struggles. Lamentations 3:23 states, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’”
Joy is confidence. It is not fear. Joy combats the fear of not having, the fear of not living, the fear of not achieving, and the fear of not meeting the goal. 2 Corinthians 5:8-9 states, “Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. So whether we are here in this body or away form this body, our goal is to please him.”
Joy is counting your blessings, but it’s also counting your struggles. Paul speaks to the thorn in his flesh in 2 Corinthians and makes this statement in verse 10: (ESV) “That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Also in James 1:2-4, it’s very clear for us to find joy in pain as it states, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Joy is faith. It is not worry! Matthew 6: 33-34 Jesus says: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
If you are overwhelmed with work, worry, or worshiping the wrong things, I encourage you to stop and pray to God to help you with any of these areas you’re struggling with. Make time to be in the presence of God so that you can reflect the light of His Glory through how you are spending your time, how you are loving others, and how you are walking daily with joy. This Christmas as you hear the age-old classic carol, Joy to the World, remember these 3 gifts that are timeless and free!
