It has been a while since I've had time to post, or rather, since I've made time to post. Perhaps I was afraid of saying something wrong, perhaps I was nervous that I wouldn't know what to say. My last and only post was a poem - something I am very comfortable writing. I would've posted another, but I didn't have the right thing to write about.
My life lately, has been quite busy. It's been none stop work and school, and finally slowed down for a few weeks off to celebrate Christmas. For a lot of people, myself included, it's hard to slow down during the Christmas season and actually enjoy the meaning of it all. There are presents, parties, baking, and stress repeatedly until after January 1st, and it takes away from it all.
This Christmas, I took it slower, didn't stress as much, and tried to truly focus on Christmas. The verses that I was bound to this year were these;
Hebrews 12:1-2
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
These verses are fairly common to those who read the Bible. Usually, we interpret them as a motivator, as a link to relief as we are stressed. We have the benefit of being able to look to Jesus, who will help us rid of our heavy sins, and run with endurance and faith. This year, though, I looked at the last part of it, where it says that Jesus, perfect, sinless, Jesus, endured the cross for us, as we have to endure the race. He did it for the joy before him, even though it was shameful, even though it hurt. He wanted to. And he knew it would have to happen. But it goes back. It doesn't start when he died on the cross and took away our sins. It started when he was born. He was born for that very purpose, and he lived on earth for that very purpose.
I get stressed out easily, and I keep busy. I'm also leaden with sins and burdens. But, I was gracefully reminded this season that I can cast off the weights and run with endurance, the same kind of endurance that Jesus had when he suffered our horrible deaths. And, just as he, at the end of our enduring race, there will be glory. Jesus came with the promise of enduring hardships for coming glory, and we can follow that example.
I hope that everyone stayed safe and well for the holidays, and that you all remember that Jesus was born to die a horrible death, to save us, and for the joy that awaited him. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, for sure. But it also is remembering what his birth led to, and praising Him for all that he endured so that we would have the chance to join him in his joy.
I hope you are all well, I am well. Well in Jesus. Forever. Blessings.
