FAITHFUL FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

We are in the middle of the holiday season. I don’t know about you, but I like the holidays. I do not like the commercialization that seems to grow every year, but I like the holidays themselves. For many, it is a time of family. It is one time that most, if not all, of my family is able to be together. It is about the only time except for funerals and weddings. As families grow, it becomes harder for everyone to be together, but we make the effort.

People seem to refocus, somewhat, and reflect more on their spiritual lives than they normally do during most of the rest of the year. That's a good thing! We are primarily spiritual beings, created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27). We have read enough obituaries and attended enough funerals to realize physical life is temporary (Hebrews 9:27). It is the spiritual part of us that will live for eternity. “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

Considering this, does it not seem strange to you that we focus so much on our physical lives? If we are blessed, we may live to be 100. Most of us will die long before that. We spend most of our time and effort trying to achieve things for the physical part of life. Yet, when we die all of those things will mean nothing. We work for 40 or 50 years to prepare for retirement, which might last 20 years, probably less. In the meantime, eternity is waiting and most of us spend little time getting ready for it.

Many people will become “faithful for the holidays.” They will be more appreciative for their blessings. They will be kinder to others. They will express love for family and friends. They may even speak a little of spiritual things. Many will attend a church service somewhere. Then, after the New Year begins it will be back to normal. Their focus will return to physical things and their spiritual lives will again be neglected.

What about you? We talk all day about “them,” but the really important matter is you. You are the only person you can change; you are the only person you will give an account of before God. What can you do to strengthen your faith and commitment? There is no substitute for studying the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15, 3:14-17). It is the guidebook, the true success manual, for your life.

Something else you can do that will help strengthen your faith is to be here for every worship service and Bible study. Be committed to the worship and work of the church. Stop making excuses. As you study, worship, and work with the church, you'll learn and grow spiritually. Take advantage of this opportunity to turn things around. Refocus your life on what matters most, your eternal spiritual destiny.
--Lamar