I love the Christmas season and am always sorry to see it end. The beautiful lights and decorations are amazing; however, what I enjoy most is the spirit of goodwill and kindness that seems to permeate wherever we go. I love the fact that people say Merry Christmas in all kinds of situations. Whether we realize it or not, it is like we are telling Jesus “Happy Birthday” several times a day. Our Savior came to save us, yet Scripture states in John 10:10 that Jesus also came to give us an abundant life. Abundant life does not necessarily mean a life without struggles, but rather a life full of purpose and meaning.
After Christmas, the New Year holiday rolls around. It is a time to celebrate, remember the past, and look forward to the future. Many of us set resolutions for the things we wish to accomplish in our personal lives and goals for the coming year. I guess this is a time of reflection in my life. A time to ask myself how to improve on what I am already doing, and a time to prepare for the future.
According to the Today Show, the next holiday after New Year’s is Blue Monday. I have never heard of Blue Monday, but I don’t think I have missed much. It happens in mid-January. Depression sets in, and many people are disheartened. Some are blue because of all of the failed resolutions, others because the holidays are over, and many because they don’t like winter. These are a few other reasons that were listed, but you can fill in your own blank. We all have our struggles, but at certain times of the year, they seem more difficult than others. I also realize that for some people, the Christmas holidays are a very difficult time, especially when you have lost someone you love. It can also feel very lonely when others around you are celebrating while you are alone.
How do we avoid the rat race that leads to despair? As Christians, we may miss the abundant life the Lord offers. John 10:10b states, “I am come that they might have life, and they might have it more abundantly.” Reflection needs to be daily, not yearly. I, too, struggle at times and must remember my Savior’s purpose for me. Instead of complaining, we are called to grow through our circumstances and shine our Father’s light in every situation.
What areas of our lives are we yielding to the blues? Many have health issues, financial problems, family difficulties, work pressures, time restraints, and the list is endless. In Job 14:1, the Scripture states, “Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.” How do we combat these situations? One of the tools I use is remembering that there is always someone worse off than I am. A visit to the nursing home can make me very grateful for my aches and pains, thinking about the children that are thankful for a shoe box for Christmas helps with any financial woes, knowing some people would love to get out of bed and go to work solves any work difficulties, and reminding myself how blessed I am usually gets me straight.
However, sometimes I have to dig a little deeper. The Bible teaches in II Corinthians 10:5 that we are to take every thought captive: “Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” How do I do that, Lord? Every thought? Is that possible? As a Christian, I know that the Holy God lives inside me through His Spirit. Nothing is impossible with God. So why do I still struggle to yield all my thoughts to God? I guess a big part of the problem is I haven’t completely died to self.
This brings us to an even deeper question. Isn’t that the main problem? We don’t trust God to take care of us. We are trying to fix things on our own. We are looking for some great work instead of realizing God is here, taking care of the big and the small. These defeating thoughts usually arise when I think about how situations affect my life. I do worry about the people and the ministry I love, but isn’t that still sin? A multitude of Scriptures tell us to cast our cares on Jesus. We are to abide in Jesus in all things. Every decision we make, every word that we say, and every thought we have is to be guided by His Spirit.
With all these thoughts in mind, what is the solution? How do we take every thought captive? I am still a work in progress. I do know this: I cannot wait for New Year’s to make a resolution. This is a moment-by-moment process, and I must consistently keep my thoughts in check. But I can’t do it alone—neither can you. We must depend totally on our Savior and trust Him for the abundant life He promised. John 15:4 says, “Abide in Me.” Is it that simple?
Abiding in Him, then, becomes essential. Abiding in Him will produce the Fruits of the Spirit. What are they? The Scripture tells us in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (self-control) against such there is no law.” If we are to take our thoughts captive, we must abide in Him. We must die to self so we will produce His Spirit, thereby letting Christ live through us. It is a tall order, but with God, all things are possible. We all will fail, but the solution is to brush ourselves off and get back up again. We cannot dwell on our failures, but only on God’s promises. He forgives and chooses to forget, so must we.
Let us resolve each day to live more like Christ, not by our own strength, but through His. Abide in Him and embrace the abundant life He promised. I would like to wish everyone a great year as we seek to serve our Lord together.