Tag Archive | losses

Does it count for eternity?

Jan2

A new year has begun. We all have an opportunity for a fresh beginning. But will we take advantage of it, or do we even know how. Will we be able to detach ourselves from the trials, disappointments, and losses experienced from 2023? While last year did have its mountaintop moments, why is it that the valley moments seem to possess a greater force to pull us downward?

How do we overcome this downward force? The world offers their solutions and I might add that the source of those solutions have very little, if any, to do with God. True and lasting peace, even in the midst of life in our valleys, can only be found in God.

I met a man on a mission trip several years ago who would be considered poor by my country’s standards. Yet, the riches this man possessed was reflected in the words of his young adult daughter when she was asked about her life’s ambition. Her heart’s desire was to serve God as she had seen her father do. Her father passed on a legacy to his daughter far more valuable than any worldly possessions or riches.

This man and his family had discovered the secret of living a life that counted. Not to obtain material possessions, success, wealth, or fame. Their focus was on living a life that counted for God, a life that counted for eternity.

Living a life that counts for eternity is reflected in the choices we make on a daily basis. It is especially apparent when there are valleys to be endured and when the mountaintop experiences may be in short supply. The secret to making right choices is in asking ourselves this question: Will the choice I want to make count for eternity?

 

The thief who would steal Christmas…

Dec13

When Christ was born, Satan orchestrated his plan to destroy God’s Son. And although he failed, he hasn’t given up trying nor will he ever. Two thousand years later, his tactics may have changed but his goal remains the same. To steal any chance mankind may have to know about Christ, especially at Christmas.

I’m writing this to help us become aware of the deliberate plan of this thief to steal Christmas from not only those of us who believe in the birth of Christ but those who do not. With the party atmosphere prevalent wherever Christmas is celebrated, is it any wonder Christ gets left out of His own birthday celebration. And without Christ, the sadness and heartbreak experienced this time of the year by so many is even more accentuated.

Bringing it down to a personal level, the idea of celebrating Christmas this year has lost some of its luster. The loss of beloved friends and family members over the past year works to dampen my celebration. Added to that, two of our four children and their families won’t be able to make it home for Christmas. We are not even sure when the other two children and their families will be able to gather here at the farm. Likely my husband and I will spend Christmas alone. I’ll hang up the twenty stockings but only eleven will be stuffed with Christmas goodies and trinkets.

So as you can see, the thief who would steal Christmas from me is doing a thorough job of it. But I realize that dwelling on the negatives will give him just the ammunition he needs. While my circumstances surrounding Christmas 2023 may not lend themselves to joyous celebrations, they must not be allowed to give the thief opportunity to steal my joy. Not just for me but for anyone who looses sight of the Truth of Christmas.

Therefore, shifting my focus to the greatest gift ever given to mankind and to me personally, will be my default response when the thief strikes. And just as his plans were thwarted by God when Christ was born, so will his present day attempts at Christmas thievery fail.