“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
Greetings in Christ,
I arrived at the office this morning eager to return to work. The entire weekend was incredible! Spiritual renewal abounded, but one can’t live on the “mountain top” all the time. So I returned to work, opened my calendar, and began organizing the necessary preparations for the upcoming week. That’s when it hit me… we are already in mid-November. This week is session meeting… next week elder election… the next week we travel to
Well, thankfully we have not missed it. At least not as far as the calendar is concerned. As a church family our annual celebration is set for Wednesday the 18th, and of course the big day is still weeks away. But that’s not the issue. My thoughts are not focused on turkey and all the trimmings… I guess I’m just getting a little nostalgic. I miss the days when holidays were anticipated and appreciated. I still remember when we took time to celebrate each holiday, one at a time. Compare that to the frantic pace the “holidays” now seem to attack us with.
From now through the first of the year, the frantic pace is sure to escalate. Somehow we will have to balance shopping trips with pageant practice. We will have to balance family gatherings and business socials with preparation and presentation of our eighth Living Nativity. Somewhere in the midst of hand-bells and cantatas, special worship services and celebrations with our church family, life will continue to unfold. Balancing scheduling demands with time restraints will become a magician’s trick far beyond the achievements of even the Great Houdini.
What’s a Christian to do? Well… before running for the Advil, let’s reach for the bottle marked “Colossians,” and take two. Here in this one verse are two reminders to help each of us through the Christmas rush:
1) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…
2) … and be ye thankful!
After all, Christmas is not about the rush. It is about the Christ! Slow down… experience the peace of Christ in your heart, and I assure you will experience a spirit of thanksgiving unequaled by worldly celebrations.
Together in His service,
Bro. Tim
