We are truly in the heart of the Christmas season. Now with anybody there is always a split between excitement and joy as well as stress and tiredness. I do feel overwhelmed at times to make an effort for my kids and my husband, to be sure that things inside and outside the house are even that much more special and magical. It may sound childish or corny to state I want to make things magical, but its not too far of a stretch to think that this time of year brings out something special in a lot of people. During this time people tend to give back more by volunteering time, being more generous, even taking interest in people lives that they normally wouldn’t on a daily basis. Its pretty amazing. Its like as soon as December comes around people begin to shift their attention to others needs instead of their own. It brings out the belief in people, that maybe if we do more for our communities and the people in it, maybe things will get better. It brings out the belief in people that may not have believed before. Belief is something we should take with us each time we go into our prayer closet, each time we have our daily devotion, time spent in fellowship with each other; start believing again.
I’ll be honest, there are times I have gone to pray and it feels like my faith is gone. But I don’t want to end my day without talking to God, even if my mood is not the best and my faith feels lost. So I pray, but it doesn’t feel right. Its feels like prayer-by-numbers and I end up leaving my prayer time not sure if God even heard me or will ever answer my prayer due to the conversation I tried to have. I mean, how could he? My heart was not in the right place. But here’s the thing though, he will always hear us no matter what. Even when we don’t have the right words to say. (Romans 8:26 – In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.) He just asks that we trust and obey. I know it can be hard to do, but the life of a Christian is all about having faith and believing in the commandments and standards God has given to us all. (Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.) We need to start believing again. We need to believe in God’s power again. Believe in his love. Believe he is with us during those tough days. Believe he has not forgotten about us. And believe in the big things coming your way. (Matthew 19:26 – “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”) I plan for thin upcoming year to believe in doing more and knowing God will equip me along the way. I will no longer let fear stop my belief. Let’s believe together. Let’s embrace the faith that moves mountains. Let’s start now during the most wonderful time of the year. Where belief in Jesus Christ is in everything.