This isn’t how I intended to close my Advent series.
Image courtesy Dreamstime
I planned to talk about how not to get frazzled and distracted this last week, and how beneficial it is to spend time alone with God each day. I wanted to emphasize that spending time in His presence helps us order our priorities and lessen our stress. And how that inner peace would affect our countenance.
Like Moses’ glow after 40 days with God on Mt Sinai.
This is how I wanted to end this series:
Shine so the world can see Jesus in you!
That didn’t feel quite right this week. See, I don’t feel very shiny.
I’ve done all the things I wrote about:
- prepared and planned for holiday events,
- stayed focused on the Reason for the season, and
- simplified my life (shopping, decorating, expectations).
I’m all set to shine, especially since my kids are home from college and we’re enjoying some seriously fun family time. We have so much to be thankful for, and WE ARE. Especially in light of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary.
So much has been said and written since last Friday. People are weighing in from every side and every angle, some of it factual, some of it not.
Those of us in ministry feel compelled to write something – offer some kind of hope, share an uplifting verse, to do whatever we can to shine some of our Savior on this mess.
But in the throes of something this heinous, sometimes the less said, the better. This is my “less” –
“In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I (Jesus) have overcome the world.”
~John 16:33b
Trouble? We don’t have to look far, do we? Suffering, confusion, tragedy, death, loss, frailty, weakness, fear, poverty, greed, arrogance…
It’s just the way this world is. Consider the headlines of the past several months: murders, injustice, genocide, human trafficking, etc. Then add natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, floods, etc.
It’s just the way this world is. All of creation groans and awaits something better, Someone who will somehow fix everything (Romans 8). Deep down in each of us, we know a very real truth:
This world isn’t all there is.
Some days, that truth is the only reason to get out of bed.
As we fix our gaze on God and renew our minds with His Word, He covers us with His peace and strengthens us with His presence. And He fills us with HOPE.
And we shine, even when we don’t feel like it.
As we shine for Him this Christmas, I pray God will give us opportunities to share the message of the Gospel. The world is desperate for the hope that is found only in the Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.
What are some ways YOU stay shiny this Christmas?
FYI – I’m taking off the next two weeks to spend time with the family. I want to let you to know how thankful I am for those of you who read my ponderings each week. Your presence here encourages me more than you will ever know. May God fill you with hope and joy this Christmas!
Thank you Susan for your wonderful blog. My way to shine is to try and bless someone with what I can without them knowing — not always easy but I try. And I pray for friends, family and strangers. God bless you, have a very Merry Christmas and tell everyone down there at church hello and Merry Christmas for me please.
You’re a blessing, Brenda, and you definitely SHINE for Him. I’ll pass along the Christmas greetings, and hope you have the merriest Christmas yet!
Beautiful words and ponderings….may you and your family continue to create beautiful memories this holiday season! Your friendship is a treasured gift and blessing!–k.
You’re a blessing, Kim, and one of the shiniest people I know. May this Christmas be filled with joy!
Indeed… the creation groans and we have trouble. But a small light in the darkness is still LIGHT! I think of this every time I run in the dark of the morning hours… the stars and occasional house light are such comfort and visual aids in recognizing how even the smallest light pierces the darkness.
Will look forward to your next installment in 2013. May your Christmas be filled with WONDER!
“Piercing The Darkness” – one of my favorite Peretti offerings
Thanks so much for stopping by, Kirsten. I’m enjoying your Advent devo and hope this is a joy-filled Christmas for your family!
Susan, I know God led me to your blog for a reason.thank you for these comforting thoughts. This year has had it’s share of troubles for me and my family, too. I will just keep looking up. He is always faithful.
I’m so glad you found comfort here, Debbie. I’m sorry to hear that this has been a hard year for you and your family, but He hasn’t forgotten you. No matter how hard and lonely it seems, He is there and will reveal His will in His perfect time.
You’re so right – look up! I’m praying for your perseverance and know He is working. Press on.
Great read…love you Susan HOPE!
Thanks for stopping by and for always being my cheerleader
Yeah, that name has proven itself, hasn’t it?
Love you too!
Hi my precious shiny friend! Your words are always an encouragement.
John 16:33 has dominated my thoughts in recent days. Oh, how I long for a “fairer land” and His return!
Always know that you stay in my prayers. Just let me know when you’re able to head this way.
I pray for His light to shine in your heart and your home. I love you dearly!
Thanks, Kristi. I’m so grateful for your prayers and your special friendship. I still can’t believe how blessed we are to have connected the way we have. I’m praying for you and your girls, and hope this is the best Christmas yet. Can’t wait to see pics on Facebook!
Now that things have quieted down at my house, maybe I can plan a trip to the Queen City soon
Really appreciate the profound simplicity of this post. Blessings abundant with your family. Know that you do indeed shine.
Thank you, Marcia. Christmas blessings from VA to VT
Susan,
Thank you for shining even when you don’t feel like it.
I love simple words Jesus spoke as He warned us of things to come. Take heart…I have overcome the world….that’s the comfort and hope we need these days, considering the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before endured the cross, and suffered the shame.
Hugs,
Glenda
So true, Glenda – we serve a Savior Who can identify with it all, don’t we? And that verse sums it up so well.
Thanks so much for stopping by and for your prayers. I hope your Christmas is filled with joy!
Thank you Susan for your words today.
My friend posted on his FB this morning: There are two ways to view this world: A mission field for God, or home. So very true indeed.
We yearn for His return and eagerly await His glorious appearing. We were created for heaven, not earth.
Love to you and your family,
Hester,
Thanks so much, Hester. You comment reminded me of a lyric from an old gospel song:
This world is not my home, I’m just a-passin’ through…
That’s a promise that brings me GREAT hope!
Thanks for your prayers. May you and your family have a most joyous Christmas!
Love you
Thanks for the great blog, I am slow today, just reading your post and it is 4 pm. Everyone is so sad about what happened in CT. I shed some tears everytime I listen to the news. All the kindness and love from around the world are pouring in. I asked myself this “Why can’t we be kind & loving always, why is that all the good comes out after the bad?” I really don’t know the answer to this… my prayers and showing the love of God in a practical way is the only way I can make my light shine. Merry Christmas to you and your fam.
Your light shines VERY brightly, Anita. You bring such joy to so many and your love for Jesus is evident! Merry Christmas to you and sweet Mark
One of my favorite quotes: “It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.” Mother Teresa (or Eleanor Roosevelt- not sure.
This week I have been struck with the realization of just how blessed I am.
Thank you for sharing a message of hope. Enjoy your time with your family.
Merry Christmas! Love, Julia.
That’s a great quote, Julia. No matter who said it
I’m with you on counting my blessings. They are MANY.
Merry Christmas to the Tomiak tribe!
Thanks for this Susan. We had our Longest Night service last night for people who are grieving and/or suffering loss. It was a beautiful, reflective time of being with God, of being quiet, and still, and letting Scripture and music minister to us. But I definitely saw God shining from the faces of folk as they left the sanctuary afterwards. Sometimes less is more, sometimes being close to God and resting in Him is all we need to shine.
Have a wonderful Christmas with your family!
So glad to see you, Sue! Yes, isn’t it amazing how that quiet, reflective time refuels our soul and lets us shine? He covers us with His peace. He is GOOD.
Merry Christmas to your sweet family
Wow, Susan! You have really spoken truth here. Truth is the reason we get out of bed, to bless those who don’t know the truth.
You, precious sister, shine into each life that you touch, with the light of Christ. You know I’m crazy about you!
You’re such a sweetie, Di. I’m grateful we got to be RL friends this year! I love you too — Merry Christmas!!
Susan, I am always blessed when I read your blogs ….I am so glad God brought you into my life as a friend and as an encourager. Praying that your next two weeks will be filled with special conversations with each of your children, closeness with your husband in praise and thanksgiving, quality family time praying and playing together during this very special time of the year! Your friend always, Judy
So grateful for your friendship and encouragement, Judy. May all the Rossbachers enjoy His presence and peace this Christmas! Continued prayers for your upcoming surgery. We’ll get together soon.
“The world is desperate for the hope that is found only in the Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.” Yes, and that’s why we’re here…to share the hope of our Savior. Thank you for the reminder that even in the midst of struggle, we always have the hope and assurance that can only be found in Him.
Thanks for stopping by, Vonda. You’re one of the shiniest people I know
Merry Christmas!
As we {Christians} learn how to slow down and be with Him the words we offer begin to have a genuine, an alive, hope to those we speak with. His miracles become real. Thank you Susan! Merry Christmas to you and yours! ~ Love out, Amy
Ahh yes, Amy – to slow down. It’s the only way to let His Truth take root. I love that you mention being genuinely alive. People can spot fake Christians from a mile away. Definitely not what I want to be.
Christmas blessings to you!
Although you may not feel shiny, you shine brightly, Susan, and I am so grateful I “met” you this past year…wishing you a very blessed Christmas with your family this year…I pray and ask God to help me to love well my family, and those I meet, and those He places on my heart through the Internet etc….Hugs to you
You’re a blessing, Dolly, and I hope we get to meet in RL in 2013. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Susan, that is my life verse. God has shown me so clearly that no matter the hell we live in this world, He has already overcome it. The craziness of Christmas always gets to me the few days just before Christmas day. This year, to top it off, my hubby to my son on a birthday cruise and returned on Christmas eve. So THAT didn’t leave me with any last minute shopping to do alone! Anyway, anticipating the craziness, I let God’s gentle nudges guide me to a few good deeds. Before Thanksgiving, I went into my dry cleaners to drop of clothes, and for some reason, God reminded me of the $100 in my purse…that I needed to give to her. I knew nothing about her, and dismissed it as a “crazy” thought. For weeks, the thought stayed with me. So a few weeks before Christmas, I took her that $100 bill. I think I shocked the life out of her. In the grand scope of things, $100 is very little. But I gave it with no expectations, and told her to do with it what she needed. Whether it was for her, or for someone else, I needed to give it to her. I haven’t been back for any dry cleaning yet, but hopefully I shined a little light of Christ that day and restored a little hope for someone. Oh, and I bought a water buffalo, but that’s another story
Hi Celeste,
Thanks so much for taking time from your holiday fun to visit and comment. What a great story about the $100, and I’ll be that lady was flabbergasted! One year the hoodies collected money and surprised an unsuspecting waitress. You never know what happens next, but how fun to know that your blessing might be a stone along the path to someone’s salvation!
And a water buffalo? You HAVE to tell that one
Susan,
What a lovely blog you have! And, such fantastic readers!
It’s obvious your light does shine, and you have given me a good reminder to be mindful of myself -am I shining or not?
Looking forward to reading more…
Hi Denise,
They’re sweet blessings and wonderful encouragers. I’m so grateful and look forward to a bloggy friendship with you!
I’m so glad you’ve dropped by! And yes — my bloggy friends are some fabulous folks