Every Day Thankful
Cal Sullivan
Christmas can be quite a lonely period filled with the stresses that come with it, from finances to planning get-togethers, meals and gifts. Added to this, for our family it has also been a period of additional stresses related to moving and other administrative requirements that have fallen due over the festive period.
The result of this has been that, by the time Christmas arrived, our energy levels were quite depleted & being constantly distracted with all the stuff that had to been done - the real purpose of the celebration of Christmas got a bit drowned out.
But our God is a gracious God who knows where we are at and, while we may be distracted by the things of the world, His Spirit is constantly with us - always there reminding us that we are not alone, that we should turn to Him, and give the things that are burdening us over to Him.
But being me I often think that, contrary to Jesus’s promise of grace, I must still take control of my situation and do what has to be done in my own strength - which inevitably leads to burnout, anxiety and a desperate realisation that I in fact do not have control and need His help.
When this happens I am reminded of this passage in Matthew 11:
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
(Matthew 11: 28-30)
I find the more I trust that Jesus is in control, the more the burden of what has to be done is lightened. And while I still have to do the tasks that are required, there is a shift from constantly being concerned and worried (when I am trying to control the outcome). I now feel a freedom and relief, as I trust He is in control of the outcome.
This whole process brings me closer to Him, makes me want to know Him better and more intimately, which then drowns out all the other noise around me.
I try and make Christmas every day, not just one specific day of the year. Every day I am thankful that He came to earth in human form, and every day I am thankful that He understands me better than I understand myself - that He knows my needs and is willing to bear my burdens, that He died for me to pay for my sins, and did all of this because He loves me.
