As the hustle and bustle grows quiet, there’s this sweet spot of time between Christmas and New Year’s where you can take a deep breath and rest. Sure, there may be gatherings to attend, but overall, there’s a general sense of calm that comes with the holidays; a transition between the end of one year and the beginning of another.
Before the expectations and wishes of the new year begin, come before the Lord with thanksgiving. Lay all the unknowns of the future and the memories of the past at His feet, and embrace the present with Him. The lyrics to the song, Bigger than I Thought by Worship Initiative are powerful:
“So I throw all my cares before You
My doubts and fears don’t scare You
You’re bigger than I thought You were
You’re bigger than I thought
I stop all negotiations
With the God of all creation
You’re bigger than I thought You were
You’re bigger than I thought You were
I will rest in the Father’s hands
Leave the rest in the Father’s hands.”
Christmas may be better or harder than you anticipated this year. You may have had other expectations for this year, and are trying to regain new ones for the next. Perhaps you might have even begged God to change something in your situation.
Rachel, “stop all negotiations with the God of all creation.” He loves you and will do whatever will produce the best results for Him, you, and the entire world. He’s got you. You can rest in the Father’s presence this Christmas knowing He’s taken care of everything. Bring your cares before Him, rest in His presence, and soak in the power of His story this Christmas. Tomorrow and next year can wait. Enjoy this precious holiday with Him first.
“ …All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.“ 1 Peter 5:5-7
Merry Christmas!
Rachel
