Mission-Minded Christmas — Peace

Instead of being directed by the overwhelming needs of the moment, Jesus took time to pray and to seek the Heavenly Father’s perfect direction for each day, and did exactly (and only) what needed to be done . . .

The will of God —
nothing less, nothing more, nothing else.”
— F. E. Marsh

How to find peace . . . in a busy season

Writing Christmas cards. Decorating the house. Buying and wrapping presents. Cooking. Baking. Preparing for parties and hospitality. Getting ready for church events. Just thinking about all these things we “need” to do can be exhausting.

‘Tis the season to be jolly . . . yet often overly busy.

As we’re heading into the Christmas season, a time to celebrate God’s PEACE and joy, let’s make sure to seek God for what should be done (and what activities could be eliminated to bring more of God’s presence into our homes and family). Let’s remember to take TIME for prayer, and to keep everything in balance.

Think of everything Jesus needed to do!!!

Jesus only lived 33 years on earth and spent just 3 short years in ministry.

In this short time period, Jesus had more on His “to-do” list than any of of could ever comprehend.

• He was responsible for providing God’s only way of salvation for all humanity.
• He had to establish a brand-new worldwide training program (through scriptural teaching and personal example) to explain God’s eternal kingdom.
• He had to equip His ground-level leaders (in deep theology and practical life skills) for future global impact.
• And on top of all that, He couldn’t sin or make a mistake . . . not even once!

Even with such a limited time allotment, an eternally important job, and such spiritual “pressure” (from our point of view), Jesus was never rushed or stressed-out. In spite of all He needed to do (and because of all He needed to do), Jesus always took time to pray.

God’s perspective is so much different than ours.

During his 33 years on earth, Jesus took 30 years to live as a simple carpenter and to simply “be” with His Heavenly Father. Jesus was totally perfect and totally God-in-the-Flesh, yet throughout His life He took time to seek God’s direction and guidance. Even when everyone else was busy and multitudes had pressing needs, Jesus took time to be quiet and to get away, and to pray.

Mark 1:35-38 says, “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He [Jesus] went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for you.”

But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”

Finding PEACE . . . through PRAYER!

If you haven’t been praying regularly, it’s a good idea to begin by setting aside a particular new “MEETING TIME” with God:

• perhaps set your morning alarm a bit earlier
• perhaps establish a habit of reading God’s Good News (the Bible) as you’re sipping your morning coffee
• perhaps take time for the Lord during your noontime lunch hour
• perhaps before bed in the evening
  

Instead of being directed by the overwhelming needs of the moment, Jesus took time to pray in a solitary place (and He didn’t even tell His disciples where He was going). After this personal prayer time, Jesus knew the heavenly Father’s perfect direction for that day, and He did exactly what needed to be done.

If prayer was that important to Jesus, it should be important to us!

 

May God bless you with PEACE this Christmas season . . . as you take time to seek Him in the quiet place, in a time of prayer.

Blessings to you!
Jon & Ann

A few helpful links about PRAYER & BALANCE:
Daily Bible Reading Chart
More articles about PRAYER
More articles about BALANCE