With Christmas behind us life becomes a big let down for many… more like a huge drop-off. The thought of going back to normal discourages many people as Christmas trees are set by the curb, outside lights turned off, and decorations put away.
So we ask ourselves, now what?
It’s like going from the divine (the spiritual hilltop of His birth) to the mundane (our daily grind). How can we make a successful transition?
If you’re like me, you wish you could live from one spiritual, emotional, psychological hilltop to another while skipping the valleys in between. But that’s unrealistic living.
All you can do is pace yourself!
Take the Christmas story, for example. It was full of supernatural events as God, the Father, protected His Boy. But once Mary and Joseph settled down in Nazareth many years passed with seemingly nothing going on.
Joseph set up his carpentry shop and Jesus grew up and learned the trade. Nothing spectacular. No angels. No revealing dreams. No songs of praise to God. Just daily 9 to 5 living.
There’s a reason the Bible is silent about most of Jesus’ childhood and young adulthood. Life just took its course.
When Christopher Columbus went out to explore in 1492 many of his journal entries simply read, “Today, we sailed on.” The Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria were no cruiseliners filled with fun events. For them it was just another day at sea of cleaning the deck, adjusting the sails, dealing with sickness, managing relationships, and doing nothing other than moving in the same direction.
Now, if you’re one of those folk that see themselves as a hamster on a wheel you’re going to have issues. You’ve got to learn to look beyond! Check out this great advice from the apostle Paul,
And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up. Galatians 6:9 (TLB)
As I write this I have my phone sideways on my desk showing a live feed of an eagle sitting on 2 eggs that are supposed to be ready to hatch. Thousands of others are watching as well. The fascinating thing is that nothing’s happening (other than my phone battery is draining BIG TIME). That eagle’s been sitting there for days. But one of these days those chicks are going to be born and the long days of sitting on that nest will have been worth it for that eagle (if eagles think that way).
Whether you’re at home or office reading this, remember that everyday you do your best, even if it seems routine, gets you closer to the realization of your goals and dreams.
Even when there’s no visible progress, stay on task!
Steady perseverance is not wasted time but the path to ultimate blessing!
The apostle compared it all to reaping a great harvest. Harvest time still requires work but it’s fun time and the benefits often far exceed the expectation.
I remember an orange tree we used to have in our backyard. It produced the most amazing sweet flavor I’ve ever tasted in an orange. As harvest time drew near the branches would be full of little buds. Those buds would heighten our anticipation of harvest. Then the oranges would finally ripen and we would have the joy of pulling one off, pealing, and eating.
Spiritually speaking God always outdoes Himself when rewarding His own. Even if spiritual buds of blessing are not yet visible to you don’t lose heart. There’s a harvest coming your way.
Christmas may be over for now but trust me, it will be here again before you know it. In the meantime, roll up your sleeves and get to it.
There’s much to be done and the prize to be had is worth your every ounce of effort.
What’s your thought? Please leave me a response.
Love to read each post. God Bless you and Thank you for all you do.
Thank you John and Sue!!
Good stuff, Jorge. Thank you this reminder. We get so caught up in our routines sometimes that we end up feeling like we’re ‘stuck in a rut’!
But as Christians, we need to pull ourselves out of that rut, put it in gear, and move on! There is still so much work to be done for God’s kingdom; so many blessings we can give to others, and so many blessings that God wants to give us!
After Christmas we get ready to begin a new year; a new year full of new possibilities and new opportunities!
I like that, possibilities and opportunities, well said, Jim.