The evenings are dark & Christmas is approaching. It’s that time of year again – to watch Christmas movies. In our house, Lord of the Rings is on the watch-list.
A favourite character in this Tolkien classic is Gandalf the wizard. Gandalf said, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”
We have all been given the gift of time. How can we spend our time in this busy season of shopping, eating, hustle & merriment?
God gives us an answer in His Word:
‘Rejoice always,
pray continually,
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)
We can spend this gift of time:
Rejoicing -expressing delight & deep happiness- even when life feels hard & when things don’t seem to be working out as we anticipated.
Praying – this means more than talking to God- but also listening for His response. We can become the answer to our own prayers as we seek God & His best for us.
Giving thanks means paying attention to what is happening in our days. It means noticing what God is doing in our lives- in the highs & lows, the ebb & flow of our day to day {& being grateful}
As we step into December & as the month gains momentum, we need to carve out time to contemplate God:
Rejoice in awe & wonder of God with us. Our Eternal God stepped into time as a tiny baby in a manger, becoming flesh & blood {yet remaining fully divine}
Pray for love & peace in our hearts, homes & world. And how we can share these God-given gifts.
Give thanks for true joy & hope found only in Jesus. And look back with hearts shaped by gratitude on this year that’s almost through.
Blessings,
Ruth x
Blessed! 