It’s the holiday season and this time of year evokes so many different emotions from people. For many, it’s a time for family, friends and a whole lot of good eats.
For some, it’s a time of solitude and reflection on the past year and hoping for better things in the new year. For others, it’s a miserable time as many are counting the minutes when all the plastic smiles and fake tidings of joy are gone.
Whether you celebrate the holidays or not, there is one thing that should make everyone happy – we have Jesus all year round!
“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
That one statement alone should fill all hearts with unsurpassed joy and peace. The world we live in can be beautiful, wonderous and truly breathtaking. This world can also be bitter, unrelenting and hard, which is sometimes an everyday life for many people.
Jesus has been there and done that when it comes to this world. He has experienced it all: sorrow, betrayal, humiliation, pain, fear, anxiety, hunger, frustration, anger, disappointment and ultimately, the weight of all the world — sin. Jesus overcame it all for us and has shown us that through Him, we can do it too.
“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24
We have a choice when the Lord awakens us from our sleep in the morning — we can choose to make it a good day or a bad day. Now, we can wake up to ongoing, bad circumstances too, but we can choose to not let those circumstances steal our joy.
If you wake up in the morning, then praise the Lord, you have another chance to make it right with the Lord and do His will that day. The Lord can also give you joy if you ask, I know because He has done it with me and I didn’t even ask for it.
The Lord put a smile on my face and I knew it was no one but Him — it was a special moment that’s happened more than once.
“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
In a world that is in serious doubt, confusion and uncertainty, Jesus is an anchor. We can trust in His words and promises to us. Our power lies in obedience to Him and doing what He has instructed us to do because His words are true.
We have someone who will be with us through the good and bad times. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, never changing or ebbing in love and power.
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” -1 John 2:1
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!!!
