Happy Friday Friends!!!
I hope & trust this post finds you all having a great day on this glorious Friday morning! :)
As we enter this magical season of Christmas, as we are scrambling to get "perfect" presents, as we are rushing off to different places, and working tirelessly to bake, decorate, etc., I want to remind us all of something we know...it's all about relationships! It's not about about the presents, the places we go, the cookies or the decorations, it is about the people we are blessed to do this life with.
I want to look at this from a couple of different perspectives...
The first perspective is the perspective of religion. Perhaps the greatest, most impactful sermon series I ever heard was titled, "It is against my relationship to have a religion." Religion, the legalism of men, has caused a lot of hurt, pain, death, and it has turned a lot of people away from God and Jesus Christ. Let me speak this truth to you Friends; there isn't a set of rules that must be followed, there are not specific things you have to do, to one day go to Heaven. And there is nothing that you can do to make God love you more, or less. Jesus was very clear; accept Him as your Lord and personal Savior. Ask Him to be the Lord of your life and have a relationship with Him. It isn't about what you and I can or cannot do; it is what Jesus Christ did for you and I when He was crucified. It is love, mercy and grace...we simply have to accept it. And the only thing Jesus wants from you and I in return is a relationship with us. To seek Him continually, to talk to Him, to share your your thoughts, hopes, goals, dreams, worries and fears with Him and to let Him lead, guide and direct your life. It's not hocus pocus, it is not hard to understand. As with any relationship, we simply need to spend time with those we want to know and understand. You are enough, you have nothing to prove, you have nothing to earn, you don't have to speak special words...you just need to be you and seek a relationship with Jesus Christ. I pray that we will all walk in the freedom of these truths.
The second perspective I want to discuss is the people we will, or could, spend this Christmas with. I wonder what our lives, and this world, would look like if we focused on our relationships with others and not so much on the presents, food, busyness, posts, etc. If we genuinely poured ourselves into others, without selfish motives, and simply focused on having a relationship with them. Enjoyed them for who they are and allowed them to see who we really are...the good, the bad, and the ugly - we all have some of each! :) What would this life be like if we all truly lived that way? If we truly valued every person for who they are, without trying to tell them who they should be, what they should do, etc. This is what matters most...people and the relationships we have with them. Chances are you are agreeing with me, perhaps even shaking your head yes as you read these words. The question is, will we live like we really know it?!
And someone is sitting there right now saying, "But you don't know my situation. You don't know how hard it is to be around them, let alone like them." You are right, I don't know YOUR situation. I can only testify to mine. I know physical & emotional abuse. I know rejection. I know having nothing ever being enough. I know the deep, soul searing pain of a boy that just wanted to be enough for his Dad to love him. And through years of prayer, Bible study and promptings of the Holy Spirit, I learned that God doesn't hold me accountable for how other people act or respond, He only asks me to do what I know in my heart is right. This led a young man to pick up the phone after more than 7 years of zero communication and ask his Dad to go to breakfast. This also led a young man to understand that forgiveness of the fathers sins, though not asked for, was one of the greatest gifts the son ever received. And finally, the son learned that he could love the father to the best of his ability, have great peace in his spirit about, regardless of how the father responded. I want to encourage you to really think about it Friend. It is not about the other person, it is about you and what God has called and created you to do. I found, for me, when I removed my expectations of my Dads responses from the equation, I was free to be and do what God called and created me to do. Perhaps this year you can receive the greatest gift of all this Christmas, true freedom.
And about that "perfect" present? It is your presence. This is the greatest gift you can give yourself and others. Put down the phone, don't worry about the next thing that has to happen. Be fully present in each and every moment. Enjoy the people you are with, the moments you are living. This is the perfect present...one that will be cherished to the depths of your soul for the rest of your earthly life. Merry Christmas Sweet Friends!
Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your families. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.
Have a great day, a wonderful weekend and please cherish your precious families.
Kev
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