Unwrapping Advent: Through Voices of Wisdom Dec 21
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Day 21
1Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”
3 As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.
4 Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names upon my lips.
5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage.
7 I bless the Lord, who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I keep the Lord always before me because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices my body also rests secure.
10 For you do not give me up to Sheol or let your faithful one see the Pit.
11 You show me the path of life. n your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16, CEB
Abiding Joy
As a dutiful Texan, my drink of choice as a child was an ice cold Dr Pepper, but that is not to say that I was never tempted by that scarlet seductress that is Coca-Cola. How could you not be drawn in by something that was on every channel, in every magazine, at every sporting event, and was even endorsed by Santa himself.
Hypnotized by the unnatural alure of polar bears playing football in the artic snow and cracking frosty Cokes on the sideline with smiles that emitted a sense of pure euphoric joy, I would nag my poor mother to pick up a case of Coke on her next trip to the grocery store. I knew I was betraying the very fiber of my being, but how could something that turned a vicious apex predator into a cuddly love marshmallow not be the right choice?
Those first few indulgent cans were exactly as advertised, playfully tantalizing my taste buds. Soon though, the novelty ran its course, and I began to yearn for the comfort of my familiar favorite. I was shackled and unsatisfied until such time as I was able to consume the remainder of my ill-advised flight of fancy.
Such is our relationship between the secular and the divine. Too often we are drawn to what is popular or easy to try and fill the emptiness of the human condition … only to find that the salve of worldly joy is fleeting and oftentimes leaves us in deeper despair.
Whether we are chasing more money to satiate our unyielding need to have more consumer trappings, or if we are attempting to fill the void with drugs or drink, the end result is always the same: utter disappointment. Worst of all is our fixation on providing the perfect Christmas experience by way of frivolous spending and instant gratification, rather than focusing on the implications of the birth of Christ.
But hear the good news.
There is comfort in the arms of the Lord. As the psalmist says, “in your presence there is fullness of joy.” Our fulfillment during this season will not come from stacking more presents under the tree or fretting over the “perfect” family dinner. It will come in taking time to rejoice in the unconditional love and forgiveness we have in Jesus.
Reflect: Think of a time when you prioritized worldly fulfillment at the expense of your relationship with Christ. Were you left feeling better off than you were before?
Was your soul at rest and content in the moment, but troubled in the end?
This season, when the trappings of the commercial Christmas get you in a fuss, take a moment to say this short prayer:
Pray: Lord, humble me. Remind me of the joy found in Your love and grace. Show me the path to Your righteousness and keep me mindful of the need to spread Your affections to others rather than serve my selfish desires. Please calm my soul and free me to do Your will. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Brian Laing
The Journey Small Group
Discipleship Team
Prosper UMC Softball Team