Another Year Come and Gone

Christmas already? Do you, like me, have the sense that our years are flying by more quickly than ever? I think it has to do with many factors, one of which is the hurried, if not hectic time and place we live in. Sometimes, it is good to slow down and reflect upon the important things in life, maybe even evaluate where we are and adjust where necessary. As ones who are encouraging and guiding their family in developing a new business, there are things we are often thinking about. Maybe these things can be an encouragement to you readers as we approach this special time of year.

Family Times

Christmas is a time that we have been blessed with special family gatherings. Each year that passes, I become more aware of what a blessing that is. I am constantly hearing about families that are being broken up by sickness, divorce, or other tragedies. It makes me realize how special our family times are. We spend time talking and hearing about the developments in each other’s lives; this is often communication around the table during and after a meal. If you find these kinds of things disappearing from your life, try this Christmas season to cultivate these times with the family. Slow down, put your cell phones away, and communicate together.

The Pros and Cons of Technology

Along similar lines, we find how technology has taken over our lives. There are certainly many advantages to the increase in technology. Like being able to communicate with family and friends on the other side of the world. But we also need to make sure technology doesn’t control us. Believe me, that can be a big challenge. Where we find that we are more focused on a screen, let’s try to become more focused on the people around us. One of the ways we strive to do this is to have a weekly game night with the family. We have chosen to play board or card games instead of video games. It helps us to find playful ways of interacting, and it is such a joy to play and laugh together. Another way we seek to slow down and interact together is by having a family Bible study. We study a Bible book together and encourage each other from the word of God. Here again, we choose to use paper instead of electronics to study. Maybe you too, if you are not doing it already, can find ways to stimulate personal face to face interaction with family and friends and try to regularly disconnect from the hectic cycle around us.

An Alternative to a Material Focus

This season there is generally a heavy emphasis on material possessions, and all of us can get caught up in the hype. We try again to find other opportunities to be a help to others or brighten other’s lives by for instance caroling for others with the family. It’s a blessing to have a family that enjoys singing together and which God has blessed with some special musical talents. But let me say that, even if you can’t sing, finding ways to touch others can be such a special blessing not only for others but also personally. So, let us think about ways we can reach out and encourage others this Christmas.

Hebrews 10:24-25, “Let us consider how to motivate one another to love good deeds. Let us not stop meeting together, as some have done. Instead, encourage one another more and more, and all the more as you see the day coming closer.”

The Rest and Peace Only God Can Bring

Finally, Christmas time is often when we start evaluating the past year and start looking forward to the new. One of the most valuable things Lydia and I have learned through the years is that God is sovereign. What does that mean? God is in control of every aspect and detail of our lives; this is something we have known for years. However, there is a difference between knowing this and understanding it. We have seen God at work in our lives in so many ways, but it took time to stop living like WE are in control and start trusting the Lord more. Understanding and practically applying the knowledge we had of His sovereignty was a process. Even though we still do not do this perfectly, it has truly brought peace amidst the hectic and potentially stressful times where we can feel overwhelmed with circumstances. Let me encourage you to focus on God as your provider and the One who cares for you and protects you. Even in the challenging times, we can know that there is a purpose for those things and we can be encouraged and even experience joy as we trust the Lord to help us grow through those difficult circumstances.

Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus.”

Do you Have a Relationship with Christ?

Let me just add one final encouragement to those of you who might be reading this and don’t know what it means to have a relationship with God, the Redeemer, and King of all creation. If you read this and find these thoughts foreign to your thinking maybe it is time to take a step in faith and trust the Lord and see what changes He can bring about in your life.

1 Corinthians 2:14, “The unspiritual person does not receive the things that belong to the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. He cannot know them because they are spiritually discerned.”

Time on this Earth is Short Compared to Eternity

My son-in-love related an example he heard about someone who receives a new TV but has never seen one before. He is told what it is and what it does but has no reason to assume it works. He is told to take the remote control and turn it on and see what it does. He can have the knowledge of the workings of the TV, but until he acts in faith and turns the TV on and sees it’s abilities, he will never experience the results. The same is true in Salvation, until you act in faith you will not experience the results of Christ in your life. All illustrations fall short when it comes to faith in Christ, but the idea is that until you recognize your need for a Savior and you choose to accept the offer of forgiveness and redemption through Christ, you will never understand or experience the reality of what it means to have that relationship with Christ. The things we experience and talk about in our blogs will seem like foolishness to you. Let me emphatically state, the things we describe about our faith are as real as anything you can see and touch. Our prayer is that you would accept the gift from God that He so earnestly desires to give you before it is too late.

2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord does not move slowly concerning His promises, as some consider slowness to be. Instead, He is patient toward you. He does not desire for any of you to perish, but everyone to make room for repentance.”

As we mentioned at the beginning, time is passing quickly. Today or tomorrow you could have a heart attack or be hit by a car, and it would be your last. Are you ready to face your Maker and bear the consequences for all eternity?

Romans 15:13, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace for believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will have hope.”