We ask and answer dozens of questions this time of year. Sometimes we pause, ponder, and even get "stressed-out" over these questions before answering them. Other times we act on them (and therefore answer them) without even giving them much thought at all.
Will I travel to see friends or family this year?
What will be the drama with that relative(s) this year?
How much time will I take off of work?
Would it be wise for me to attend the office party this year?
Should I attend the neighborhood party?
How many outdoor lights and decorations will I put up?
Should I go to a special Christmas concert/play/production this year?
How much should I spend on a tree? Real or artificial? White bulbs or bulbs of all colors?
What food will I eat? Since it's the holidays, I shouldn't worry, though, right?
How much should I spend on presents? Since it's the holidays, I shouldn't worry, though, right?
When should I do my Christmas shopping? Should I do it online or brave the traffic and the crowds?
Who do I need to buy presents for?
What should I get my spouse?
What should I get my parents?
Shouldn't I do something for those less fortunate than I am?
Do I need to do anything "special" this time of year?
Is Jesus even real?
Jesus wasn't born on December 25, anyway, right?
When do I tell my kids the truth about Santa?
Have I been naughty or nice?
And the list could go on and on and on.
We ask and answer dozens of questions this time of year.
But there is one question that I don't think gets asked and seriously, reflectively, prayerfully thought about enough. And that's this:
What are God's plans for this holiday season?
Wouldn't it be great to have God knock on your door tonight, come inside, sit down at your kitchen table and, over a glass of eggnog, let you in on His plans for the next twenty-one days? (Okay, everything but the eggnog sounds great).
I wonder, though, if God's plans for these holidays are the same as yours and mine?
And, short of God actually knocking on my door, how would I discover His plans?
Well, I want to suggest here that discovering the answer to this question is possible. Although I think it will require at least two things.
First, it will require Surrendering. Surrendering is not being passive or lazy or mad about giving in. It's saying "God, I want, I choose to surrender the next twenty-one days to you."
Surrendering means I set aside a time and a quiet place to actually get out my calendar, open it up, and ask God, through the power of His Spirit, to help me plan my time between now and December 25. Surrendering means I find a place (the Celtic Christians call it a "thin place," a place where the wall between God and you is so thin that he can break right through.) to actually get out my credit card statement and my checkbook and ask God to help me plan my spending habits between now and the 25th. Surrendering means I actually ask God to show me what people he would like me to interact with and bless between now and Christmas Day.
And then, discovering God's plans for these holidays requires Responding. It means that I take steps of trust based on promptings/thoughts I receive during those moments of surrender.
Maybe God has plans for you are to do an act of humble service in your home, your neighborhood, your church, your community or your world.
Maybe his plans for you are to take a step of courage.
Maybe his plans for you are to give a sacrificial gift.
Maybe his plans for you are to receive one.
Maybe his plans for you are to stop working so hard and start spending time with your family. Maybe his plans for you are to stop sitting around the house and start working!
Maybe he plans for you to discover again (or for the first time) his amazing love and grace.
I don't know what God's plans are for you this season. But I do believe that God has plans.
And I trust that if you and I surrender and respond to His plans, it will be one amazing Christmas season!
