God knows our hearts. He knows our harried schedules. He knows what's around the corner for us. He knows... well, EVERYTHING. Sadly, He even knew about the horrific tragedy out in Newtown before it happened. My prayer for God's children, that are touched personally by these great losses, is that in this most difficult and painful time that they are drawn closer to the Lord and not pushed away. This great trial is forcing these families to slow down and realize what really matters. I know this kind of loss first hand... and if you take time to hear God's voice, He will reveal Himself very powerfully with truth that will carry you for a lifetime.
This is the first year in, oh my goodness, I don't even know how long, that I didn't write a Christmas letter. Normally, the letter begins to formulate somewhere about mid-year and the theme becomes clear around Thanksgiving or so. This year I got nothin'. I kept trying to find it - but it wasn't there. Finally, over the weekend I sat down to force it out of me... it was going to be a super skinnied down list of thanks... things our family is thankful for over the past year of 2012. I started it twice... and lo and behold... the computer spontaneously shut off... twice. I took it as a sign. Surprisingly, and way out of my typical character, I did NOT loose it. I simply walked away and said to myself, "now's not the time, I guess." Then later, felt completely satisfied to skip it... yep, skip it... no letter with the photo Christmas card this year. What a weird feeling of peace. Days later, I still feel that peace... no regret, beating myself up. Seriously, we're not that interesting or important anyway... our Christmas card list of family and friends can certainly live a year without the update on what's on our crazy schedule anyway.
My point is, we tend to put much too much on our holiday plate. We really only need the basics to make a happy and memorable Christmas. God is making me aware of the necessities and what He has chosen for me to do. As I stated earlier, He knows... our hearts, our minds, our circumstances. And He knows what He has created us for - our purpose, our reason, our place in this life.
In this next verse of thanks it speaks of individuals being chosen, and designated by name, to give thanks. What an amazing calling! Their reason for being is to dedicate their lives in giving thanks to God.
"With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord, "for his love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:41
I'm sure you are wondering who these men are. Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song. (1 Chronicles 16:42) Wouldn't you absolutely love it if your direction were laid out as plain and simple as it is for these men? I do. I've been searching, listening, for my purpose for many years. About 12 years ago, in a dead-end job, I had an overwhelming feeling of "how am I making a difference?" by doing this job. I realized that the impact that I had on my circle of influence was very insignificant. I wanted to do more, more for God's greater good. But I had no clue how to find out what my part was. If the Lord could have come to me in a vision or dream or better yet, in person, and said, "Merrie, play the cymbals for me and give thanks, that is your job." Would I have believed it? Would I have dropped everything and done my job? Probably not. I would have been too afraid of what people would think.
This week in my Bible study I have been learning about Abram (later called Abraham) and how he followed the Lord and believed in His unseen promises. He made moves that people around him, I'm sure, thought he was absolutely out of his mind, crazy to pursue. But he had faith. Amazing faith that he later was commended for.
"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." Hebrews 11:8
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for." Hebrews 11:1
When schedules are crazy and the "to do" list far greater than our energy, it is so easy to get lost in it all. Get all worn out. Loose our way. What I'm learning this week is to breathe, pray, listen to God's still small voice and follow his lead with what He has chosen for me to do for His greater good right now.... even if that means no Christmas letter and only one kind of cookies this year. He has plans for my time and efforts to bring joy to someones aching heart, or hope to a searching soul... the trick is, I have to pay attention and listen... and SLOW DOWN.
We are all chosen to give thanks to the Lord. He is so incredibly deserving of this worship. As you prepare your hearts and minds for Christmas, please remember to praise His greatness and be reminded that He lowered himself to become flesh, in the form of a baby, so He could relate to us, and us to Him. Please include the families of those lost in last week's shooting in your prayers and praise God for bringing those 20 babies to heaven to be in His glorious presence. Draw closer to Him in relationship, and you will have the best Christmas gift of all time!
"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b
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