Feeling exhausted yet? It's the Christmas season and our schedules are full of things to do and places to be. As leaders in the church, our lives seem to shift into high gear when this season approaches. There's just so much to do!
Preparing the church for Christmas is exciting. This is a high point in the year when people (with much faith or little faith) look to the church to define the true meaning of this holiday. It's always a terrific time to proclaim the truth of the Gospel, to model a giving spirit, and show appreciation to those we love.
Yet, the other side of the coin is exhaustion. Events at church (as well as schedule full of Christmas activities.) can leave you feeling like a worn-out rag doll. Christmas day comes and you are spent, both physically and spiritually.
How about a new strategy for this Christmas season? What if you make it to December 25th feeling tired (physacally) yet charged (spiritually)?
More than we could ever imagine, Jesus understood the exhaustion of giving and serving. His ministry was filled with people who pressed against Him, looking for hope, healing or something to eat. Jessu spent untold hours trying to help the crowds of people, whom He perceived as harassed. There was a great physical demand on His life and ministry.
Yet, He knew the importance of escaping the busy pace and finding spiritual rest.
He sought solitude in the hills with His Father in heaven. He didn't wait for some ending point in activity, either! Instead, he would move towards solitude in the midst of the activity.
For many of us, seeking spiritual rest is something we do when other tasks are completed, or when life isn't so busy. Jesus, however, regularly paused in the midst of the great demands He faced and made time to be alone with God. Spiritual nourishment was a key ingredient in Jesus' plan to minister to the needy crowds. So up into the hills he would go-even when the crowds pressed against Him.
How about you? When does spiritual nourishment come? Is it an after-thought, or is it something you seek in the midst of the busy holiday rush? To pause and rest in God is our best bet for navigating the holiday season well.
So before you stress about the events to be planned, find time to go into the hills.. Before you walk into another Christmas social, find time to go into the hills. Before you lead your sunday school class in seeing the significance of the Christmas, personally go into the hills and charge your spirit. Rest and enjo the God who defined the amazing meaning of Christmas.
Read it! Read Matthew 14. Observe in this chapter the different demands that were placed on Jesus. While facing these demands, how did Jesus handle the syrain of giving and serving?
Apply it! Where is your spiritual place of rest? When the stress and demands of ministry increase where do you go to recharge spiritually? Before the Christmas season claims your entire schedule, mark off time for you and God. Mark off time in the hills.
Preparing the church for Christmas is exciting. This is a high point in the year when people (with much faith or little faith) look to the church to define the true meaning of this holiday. It's always a terrific time to proclaim the truth of the Gospel, to model a giving spirit, and show appreciation to those we love.
Yet, the other side of the coin is exhaustion. Events at church (as well as schedule full of Christmas activities.) can leave you feeling like a worn-out rag doll. Christmas day comes and you are spent, both physically and spiritually.
How about a new strategy for this Christmas season? What if you make it to December 25th feeling tired (physacally) yet charged (spiritually)?
More than we could ever imagine, Jesus understood the exhaustion of giving and serving. His ministry was filled with people who pressed against Him, looking for hope, healing or something to eat. Jessu spent untold hours trying to help the crowds of people, whom He perceived as harassed. There was a great physical demand on His life and ministry.
Yet, He knew the importance of escaping the busy pace and finding spiritual rest.
He sought solitude in the hills with His Father in heaven. He didn't wait for some ending point in activity, either! Instead, he would move towards solitude in the midst of the activity.
For many of us, seeking spiritual rest is something we do when other tasks are completed, or when life isn't so busy. Jesus, however, regularly paused in the midst of the great demands He faced and made time to be alone with God. Spiritual nourishment was a key ingredient in Jesus' plan to minister to the needy crowds. So up into the hills he would go-even when the crowds pressed against Him.
How about you? When does spiritual nourishment come? Is it an after-thought, or is it something you seek in the midst of the busy holiday rush? To pause and rest in God is our best bet for navigating the holiday season well.
So before you stress about the events to be planned, find time to go into the hills.. Before you walk into another Christmas social, find time to go into the hills. Before you lead your sunday school class in seeing the significance of the Christmas, personally go into the hills and charge your spirit. Rest and enjo the God who defined the amazing meaning of Christmas.
Read it! Read Matthew 14. Observe in this chapter the different demands that were placed on Jesus. While facing these demands, how did Jesus handle the syrain of giving and serving?
Apply it! Where is your spiritual place of rest? When the stress and demands of ministry increase where do you go to recharge spiritually? Before the Christmas season claims your entire schedule, mark off time for you and God. Mark off time in the hills.
