Overwhelm
As Christmas approaches, we are in the thick of the holidays. If you’re like me you are trying to figure out that “perfect” gift, then trying to find it and wrap it. While still trying to work, decorate the house, care for your loved ones and take care of yourself. Just typing this I feel overwhelmed. I think it’s important to recognize this feeling or thought and then evaluate it. I think a lot of what drives these ideas and thoughts is put in motion by society’s expectations, which then in a subconscious way, sets ours and our family’s expectations. This feeling is a choice. We can choose to continue to live in this world or we can decide to make steps to move into a better “head space”. One that we can thrive and feel the joy that we are intended to experience daily, not only during Christmas.
Matthew was a tax collector and as you can imagine, not many people “liked” tax collectors. If we look in the book of Matthew, we see the account of Jesus, his birth, baptism and tempting by the devil. We see many miracles He performed in several cities. Then we come to Matthew 11:28 where the Lord instructs us “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.” When I read this passage it’s easy to say “ok, sure got it.” But if you really take a moment and process what it is saying it is a challenge for me to live this out. My life is a constant struggle of surrender. I try to hold onto to things that really never belonged to me in the first place. Do you ever make lists, organize and plan everything out? Well I’m guilty of that. While that’s not bad and can reduce the feeling of overwhelm, what happens if it doesn’t go as planned. Does anxiety creep in? The sense that you are not in control. Friends, the truth is we never were in control. God is in control of all things. While we have free will and have to live with our choices, God has the ultimate say. He can redeem anything and wants too. God is humble in heart, gentle, and wants to teach us if we would just allow time to learn from him. As Christmas is nearing, let’s all try to remember that God gave his son Jesus to die for us so that we may live forever with Him. That He will carry our burdens and we can take up his yolk that is light and learn from Him. I am so grateful to have this reality and truth in my life. Amidst all the confusion, we can rest.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word and for the peace you bring. Help us to remember to call on you and lay our burdens at your feet. Lord, that we may see your ways are better than our ways. Father, show us what is important and be with those who may not know you. Lord, I ask that you open our hearts to be receptive to your teaching. In Jesus name. Amen.