As the Christmas season is clearly upon us in full force, we often fall into the familiar (and sometimes comforting) pattern the season brings of joy, anticipation, and bustle. I often find myself agaze at the beauty of it all, but sometimes with less intentionality than I would like to admit.
It is my hope and prayer that each of us finds deep meaning in this Christmas season.
Just a handful of short days after Christmas, we will usher in 2023. It’s an interesting comparison as I ponder the original Christmas celebration illuminated by one bright star in the sky, while today we clamor for all the glitz we can find for the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations of today. Sometimes simple truly is superlative.
New Year’s Day inevitably brings resolutions and hopes for what’s ahead in the coming 365 days. It’s very easy to get excited about new planners, routines, health goals, and regimens. Sometimes, a fresh start is very soothing to the soul indeed.
As we move into the final days of advent and look into the New Year ahead, I would like to encourage us to all stop and ponder what we really hope to accomplish in 2023. I truly hope and pray health and joy are part of our days ahead.
However, as we enter this new chapter with excitement, what if we focused a little less on all the goals we can write down on paper, and a little more on our relationships? What if we aspired to give a little more time and attention to those who matter most to us, and a little less priority to our productivity and lists? As a work-in-progress, task-minded gal and a solid Enneagram 1, I am speaking this as much to myself as anyone.
And, above all, what if we really, truly, honestly, earnestly, gave more of our time and attention to our relationship with Jesus? What if our first thoughts and conversations in the morning were directed at him, offering up our gratitude, praise, and adoration?
What if we looked to His guidance, rather than checking our news reel or social media feeds? Could this more fully restore our souls and renew our hope over what we often see/hear/feel here on earth?
“Let there be peace on earth,” we’ve sung so many times. “Peace that begins with me,” we’ve chimed.
What if our inner peace that we cultivate, and ultimately share with to others, comes from a relationship with the One who has all the answers, wisdom, and guidance for our lives? He is just waiting for us to ask. Jesus tells us this specifically in Matthew 7:7. The NIV reads, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
This Christmas and, ultimately, New Year, what if we focused more on our resolve to connect with Christ from an eternal perspective, and a little less on our earthly resolutions?
In this blog, we focus on becoming grace and grit. We aspire to be rooted in God’s word and established as branches of the vine as Jesus discussed in John 15. Each of these areas of our lives can be fortified through our relationship with Jesus, and it is my prayer that 2023 brings a more abundant spiritual life for each of us. In honor of the One who created us all, let us each bring a little more peace to our earth in 2023 through His guidance.
Rooted in Grace and Grit 