How to be Spiritual during the Holidays!
December 19, 2008
By: Marcus Wallace
As we come to the close of another year, I just wanted to share some thoughts that can help us be spiritual during the holidays, evaluate the past year, and set some goals for next year.
- Evaluate your character/year
1 John 2: 3-6
Although extremely challenging, if we call ourselves Christians (or disciples), we must walk the way that Jesus walked. One huge problem with this is that we are sinners. As we end in the year, ask yourself, for 2008, what in my life was like Jesus and what was not like him? Make a detailed list of these subjects. Let me share a little of what I came up with.
Like Jesus in 2008:
- Towards the later part of the year, I felt that I became more patient with the people I was reaching out to. After reading many scriptures about patience, I feel more surrendered to take my time helping them learn the gospel instead of always feeling that they needed to make spiritual decisions in their lives at a faster pace.
- After re-reading the book, The Prideful Soul’s Guide to Humility (2003), I also feel like I have become more aware of my pride. I feel like this is something that God has been trying to show me for more than two years.
Not like Jesus in 2008:
- In conflicts of communication with my wife, I need to be more self-controlled and exhibit less anger towards her.
- In the earlier part of this year, I just didn’t go to God enough in prayer. Jesus prayed to God the father all the time.
Ask yourself what areas of your life do you want to grow in spiritually for 2009? What can you change to see these goals happen?
*I would also encourage you to just spend time evaluating the major events that took place in 2008.
- Pray for Wisdom for next year—2009
The year of 2008 will be over and done with before we know it and now it’s time to focus on 2009. Spend some time the next few days praying for wisdom about what God wants you to do for your life specifically.
Scriptures about Wisdom: Psalm 51:6, 90:12, 111:10, Proverbs 2:6, 10, 3:13, 4:6, 7, 8:11, 9:12, 10:13, 23, 11:2
Pray for God to speak to you through the Holy spirit and lead in the major decisions of your life.
- Spend some extra time with God
One way to end the year off on the right foot is for us to spend some extra time with God. Have a longer quiet-time or longer prayer-time with God. Yes, you and I know that the holiday season can usually be the busiest time of the year for our families, but I also want to remind us that if we are willing to sacrifice some sleep and some comfort, we can actually spend more time with God. We might need to spend this time with God well before our kids (for those who have them) or family members wake up but if we do, we will be much happier during the day (which I know our family would appreciate) but we will also be closer to God (and nothing can compare to connecting with God).
Let God be your Rock/Refuge during the Holiday Break: Psalm 18, 23, Exodus 15: 2-18, Matt 22: 34-40
