by Justin Morton
Well, the holiday season is upon us, and I don’t know about you, but I am thrilled. This time of year provides so many wonderful opportunities to enjoy great food, spend time with those we love, and take a little time to rest and reflect. Over the course of the next few weeks, your schedule will likely fill up quickly, but in the midst of the busyness, can I encourage you to do a few simple things?
First, take time to slow down and enjoy being with those you love. The older I get, the more I realize what a gift each day truly is. James reminds us “life is but a vapor” (James 4:14). Many of us know the pain of losing someone dear and sometimes suddenly. One minute they were here, and the next they were gone. So as you rush from one event to another, remember to pause and cherish the family and friends God has placed in your life.
Second, make it a priority to gather for worship every opportunity you can. It can be easy during this season to neglect worship and Bible class because of all the other things going on. Let’s not allow ourselves or our families to skip meeting together with God’s people. The writer of Hebrews encouraged his readers to not neglect meeting together (Hebrews 10:25). I want to encourage you to do the same. We need one another’s encouragement all year long.
Finally, amid the chaos and noise of this time of year, take time to reflect on the many ways you have seen the goodness of God in your life this year. Then spend some quiet time in prayer, praising and thanking Him for His goodness. As James wrote, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). We are truly blessed, and we should never stop giving God the glory for all He has done.
So go ahead and shop until you drop, wrap those presents, and enjoy all the gatherings that come your way. But while you do, take time to slow down and savor the moments with your loved ones, gather faithfully with your brothers and sisters in Christ, and lift up your heart in praise to God for all His wonderful blessings.