Celebrate!

But now, this is what the LORD says—  he who created you, O Jacob, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;  and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43: 1-7 NIV)

Beautiful One, here we are in the middle of the holiday season; its arrival may have surprised some of us. Christmas is a beloved time of year. We celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior as we gather together with family and friends. It is a season of giving to others and celebrating the culmination of every good thing in our lives. But, truly . . . how are you feeling?

For many, Christmas is a time filled with deep sadness. For those who are disconnected and displaced from friends and loved ones, this time of year can actually be depressing. Maybe painful memories fill the air instead of holiday cheer.

Beautiful One, we tend to be more sensitive to the reality of mishaps and misfortunes in our lives this time of year. Maybe it's because it is appropriate to spend time with our loved ones, or the individual expectations that everyone seems to have. But, what if your family is at odds? Pride and bitterness fill the punch bowl, and all who partake of the misery are tainted in some way. It can be stressful, if not explosive!

The holidays often remind us what has been lost: a loved one who has passed or a lost relationship. The thought of celebrating without them is just too painful, so you won't even allow yourself to celebrate at all. Maybe you have a child or a sibling who won't speak to you. Have you lost your job and cannot afford gifts for your children or food for the table? The holidays often multiply the stresses we feel.

Facing trials can make it hard for us to celebrate the good times in our lives. We may even be afraid to allow joy into our lives for fear that the other shoe will drop; we stand guarded and miss opportunities to celebrate because of that fear. I remember a time in my life when I dreaded Christmas. Some of my family was disconnected from each other. Instead of celebrating with the ones I did have around me, I mourned the ones I didn't. 

Sometimes it is easy to look around and not see any good. The trials and pain can blind us to the reality that there is always something good in our lives. During difficult times, we need to be reminded that no matter what, we are blessed and highly favored. Even if there is no one around to tell us so, we are blessed because God has redeemed us and promises to always be with us.

The fact that God knew all of our shame, pain, and wickedness before we ever did and He still called us by name, means that we are highly favored.

Beautiful One, all of heaven stands at attention while our God makes every crooked place straight. Be careful to not allow any adversity, pain, or mishap to distract you from the truth of your true blessing. You are blessed because YOU and Jesus are the reason for this season. Yes, I said you. Jesus left His throne in heaven and humbled himself in the form of man to walk on this earth. He died for you and me. He suffered in his flesh so that when we are silently suffering and dying on the inside, we would know that He is a God who completely understands. And his mercy shall triumph over us every time.

When others reject and misunderstand us (and they will), when the house note is past due, when jobs are lost, and marriages are broken, our God will remain. Lift your head up, do all you know in your heart to do, and then stand, watch, and get ready, because our God will add his super to our natural and He will do exceedingly above and beyond all that we think, ask or imagine.

During this season, settle your weary heart with this truth: we came into this world with nothing, but, we shall not leave it empty handed. No our stuff isn't going with us, but what is, is the Spirit of the One true God. Our Redeemer lives, and because He does, we shall too, and nothing shall ever separate us again.

Now that's a reason to celebrate!

Beautiful One, just believe, because God is watching, and Heaven stands at attention.

Comments

[Lindy Abbott]

Bravo! Wonderful writing with a strong sound message needed to be heard. Love the punchbowl analogy filled with pride and bitterness. It is like everyone is "drinking the same koolaid". So often we choose to pretend because it causes less waves than facing reality.