I want you to stop and think about a recent crisis moment you’ve had. What happened? A crisis moment is where things change. Your path goes one way – or another. This is the exact moment you decide if you will be a “victim” or “victor!” So, which are you?
One freezing early morning, I pushed back my curtain to see what the winter storm did to my yard overnight. My eyes struggled to focus in the flood of “sun-on-snow” brightness. Gradually adjusting, I saw something magical. It was like a story book scene. This piece of incredible winter art – in front of my eyes – reminded me – God’s dimension is real and very near.
(If you live in an area where this weather never happens, I’m including a few pictures so you can imagine.)
Have you ever received a gift from someone that became a super special treasure – but the giver didn’t know it, and neither did you? That’s what we’re going to talk about today. I didn’t realized how special a gift I received would be over the years after it was given to me. But to this day, I really like “The Fan!”
I’m not sure what comes to your mind when you ponder the title of this article. I suppose those words are not commonly spoken. In my own history, I can think of times I certainly have behaved. I also recall some times I have not. Hopefully the times I have behaved are becoming my norm as I work hard to know God better.
Anyway, I’d like to delve into this unusual statement – “I have behaved.” Did you know it comes straight out of Scripture?
A calm strength! Does that describe you? Although you may not believe me, it candescribe you. If I asked you – “does your life have any stress” – what would you answer? Similarly, if you rated yourself on a scale of panic in problems, where would you mark yourself? How would you rate your approach to each day? So, I ask again: do you have calm strength?
Since we have lots of questions. let’s begin today’s content.
Have you noticed the talking points of world news recently? Wars, rumors of war, famines, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornados, forest fires, floods, demonstrations in the streets, military muscles flexing, political unrest, various discriminations, mounting deceptions, despair. And more! Wow. What a state our world is in. Is it even possible to contemplate good plans for hope and a future?
I’ve often thought about well-known people and how they became “famous.” The Queen of England, various presidents, Mother Teresa, Benjamin Franklin, and even Jesus’ mother – Mary. What did they focused on? How did they spent their time? What experiences forged their character? Each person must learn how to become. So, are you becoming you?
The end of one year morphs into a new one by the simple passing of time. Days slip by all year, but when the passing of days ends one thing and begins another, it is noteworthy. Like dots on a graph that connect to form a line, your life line is formed by connecting dots of days. Therefore, it’s critical to live between the dots in a way that exemplifies the noble character of Jesus.
Ready or not – Christmas week is here! Time to enjoy each moment. May I make a suggestion? Take it all in! Your preparations come together in a call. It’s a call for a life response to a beautiful Baby!
This is the fourth and final in a series to prepare your heart for Christmas. Each week we light another candle in our hearts as a statement of preparation. (Notice each additional week’s article in this series has another candle lit in the main featured image.)