December is a time for reflection. If you’re like me, you did a lot of it.
I reflected on Christ’s birth. A lot. I even wrote a blog post in my head, and it was pretty good. Too bad it didn’t make it beyond there.
The long and short of it was, Matthew 1:23- “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God with us’).”
Immanuel- God with us.
What I was and continue to mull around is, am I living like that? Do I live a “God with me” life? And if I’m honest, I don’t, not all the time. For me, it is easier to act this way when there is a big problem. When I’m faced with something that I cannot possibly accomplish, I am constantly reminded that I need God. I need him with me. But when it is the day to day – good, bad, right, wrong, happy, sad – what then? I am pretty focused on myself – the to do list, the kids, the house, the stuff. So how can this change?
How can I take Immanuel through the whole year, not just in December? I don’t know. If I had the answer, I wouldn’t be asking the question.
Here’s what I do know…and this brings me back to the reflection but also looking forward to a new year…I’ve got some things that need to change. I not only need, I desire to start my day in the presence of the Almighty. I want to learn more of his character and I want him to be with me. I KNOW he is with me always. The bible is very clear that he will never leave me or forsake me. I have the head knowledge but I don’t always let it transfer to my heart. I KNOW that starting my day with Jesus is the absolute best way to start so why don’t I?
For one, sleep. I am a horrible sleeper. I wake up so many times a night, I don’t get good sleep and I wake up tired. I know ways to change this. I can go to bed earlier, for one. I know that eliminating certain food from my diet help as well. So, what’s stopping me? Comfort. If I’m being honest, I’m comfortable in the “go to bed when I want, eat what I think I need to get me through the day.” (Read- eat a lot of sugar and drink a lot of caffeine.) No wonder I don’t sleep well. But it is hard to change, so that has stopped me. I mean, sugar is not easy to quit and to be honest, I like ice cream. I like ice cream more than a lot of things (and people). So, I come to these cross roads- am I going to do what I KNOW is the best and God’s best for me or am I going to stick in my comfort zone?
Another thing that keeps me from getting up and starting my day with Jesus is worrying that my kids (read- my youngest) will get up. They’ll see the light and get up and then my time is ruined. Sounds like a big pity party, right? Instead, I need to coach my kids that when I’m in my spot (which I have picked out and even bought a lamp so I can see in the morning) I’m not available. Emergencies are fine but I’m not available to make breakfast or talk or anything like that. I can invite them to get a book and come read with me. I can invite them in and maybe if they see me spending time with Jesus, they’ll want to as well. And if my kids can start their day the right way and be filled the right way, I have done something right.
I have a lot of goals for the year. And as December brings reflection, January brings action. What is it about January that says, “You’ve totally got this.” I’m not sure but there is something magic about the calendar changing years. A fresh start. A new attitude. Possibility. Hope.
Hope. Jesus is hope. And Jesus is Immanuel. There is always hope when God is with us. So, I challenge you to go through 2019 like a Jesus loving, hope giving, God with you, boss. Call me on it when I’m throwing a pity party and acting like the sky is falling. Chicken Little’s got nothing on Jesus.
Here we go. 2019 is upon us and 2018 is in the mirror. Here are my goals- read at least 1 book a month, stick to a budget, workout, stay off of ladders, and start my day with Jesus. January is telling us that we’ve got it, but that sentiment doesn’t have to fade because January’s newness does. Jesus has been telling us we’ve got it, for years. Don’t you think we should believe it?
Here’s to 2019, friends! (Insert fist bump, high five, whatever fires you up!) 2019, where we can do all things because Jesus conquered death and did it all for us. It’s time to get some things done. Aren’t you excited!!
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