Okay, yesterday was Black Friday, the official start of the Christmas season...
"For unto us a Child is born...”
Isaiah 9:6
And I for one, could not be happier. The Christmas season IS the most wonderful time of year. Along with spring, summer, and fall. No joke. When I started living a lot more for Jesus and a lot less for myself, every day of life has become a wonderland.
Nope, it wasn’t always this way for me. Even though I truly loved the Lord ardently and was serving in full-time, pastoral ministry. I was a hot mess of distracting thoughts, living in lies I believed about myself, a little enamored with the world’s way of doing life, not too mention a few strongholds in my soul that hindered living life joyfully. At one point I began to even dread rolling out of the bed each morning.
That all changed not too many years ago when I began living life surrendered --I mean really surrendered. When the sweet Holy Spirit wooed me to live hands off with an utter abandonment of my dreams, my hopes, my way of doing and wanting things to the Son who was given at Christmas. Now every day is an adventure – a wonderland filled with His goodness -- even when circumstances seem difficult. And there is life. And inexpressible joy. Yep, surrender can still be a struggle sometimes, but anything less – is just that -- less.
So, I love Christmas. I love every day. Because I, who once lived in despair, now have every reason to wake up each new day and watch His wonder unfold.