As the year is drawing to a close, and festivities have taken over in a workshop cog work-type fashion, it has been difficult to catch my breath. Strenuous feats of physical, mental and emotional activities have left me exhausted at the end of most days. Don’t get me wrong, they have been rewarding experiences, but my days still leave a lot to be desired. Crossfit, catch-ups, and countless celebrations line my calendar, but the busyness that comes with self-importance no longer feels good. My heart just isn’t in it to chase after good things anymore.
And amongst the chaos of all the festivities, I find myself increasingly agitated because I’ve had such little alone time and even lesser time to spend with God. Admittedly, I feel quite lacking in my inability to prioritise my relationship with God these holidays. To retreat away from all eyes just seems like an impossible task. After all, consistently showing up for your loved ones in December is a demanding task. I had the desire to balance service with quietening my heart, but I suppose I was not intentional enough to allow such circumstances.
Something I’ve really taken to heart this year is learning to be okay with feeling unimportant, or rather learning to sit in the silence and quiet my soul. And it has been very important in the process of undoing unhealthy beliefs about myself. To know fully that God loves me not for what I do, but humbly as His precious child, I have to keep reminding myself of my identity and His unchanging love daily. Through all the failures and disappointments of this year, only God remains the same.
My busy brothers and sisters, I hope you can also take this truth to heart. To live out our lives in service to our loving Heavenly Father and partake in His mission is incredibly meaningful. But in your ministries, please don’t forget why you serve. Please remember to spend time with God as you spread the good news. Because even the good works you do can be a distraction from your relationship with Jesus.
During a month of fantastic whimsy and shared joy, or sometimes even lonely laments and wistful thoughts, it is too easy to crowd our minds and forget God. But this I know, activity is a horrible trade-off for intimacy. Let us enjoy the busyness of this season in remembrance of our Creator and give thanks for the joy of celebrating the birth of our King, if nothing else. For those who don’t have the luxury of spending Christmas with someone you love, my heart goes out to you. If this is any consolation, I hope you know you are so deeply loved by God.
May the end of this year be a time you can quiet your mind and soul. May you rest in the comfort of the Prince of Peace and know you are loved. Merry Christmas, everyone.
水 
Amen!
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