“City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style, in the air there's a feeling of Christmas . . . . “ What a lovely time of year! In the South it seems that even the grumpiest among us begin to do things just for the fun of it. With all of the school events, church events, civic events, charitable events, and family events, we had to fill in the calendar on the refrigerator with an extra fine point marker. I find myself constantly reassessing and refocusing our efforts in an attempt to keep from obscuring the memory of the Child in the manger who is God in the flesh. I recall a favorite saying of my grandmother, “If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” If we, children of the Most High, find ourselves doing battle against distraction, how much more those around us who do not know Him? A wise woman once shared with me the importance of leaving time in the day for my little ones to be alone with their own thoughts. Such time is getting harder and harder to come by.

The god of this world does a very good job of providing distraction. C.S. Lewis in his work, The Screwtape Letters, acknowledged how easily people are distracted when he had the junior tempter instructed to avoid engaging in an intellectual argument on the existence of God, but to rather remind his charge that it was time for lunch and he could think about it later. How can we penetrate the blindness with so much distraction glaring in their faces? It is through pain. Embrace the opportunities you are given to meet people in pain. Jesus met people in their place of pain. Whether spiritual, emotional, physical or even through need, pain is designed to focus our attention. Pain provides the platform on which the gospel is embraced. Julius Caesar said, “It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience.” Do not be discouraged when encountering darkness. Know that in the darkness, in places of pain and need, distractions are minimized and the light of the knowledge of the glory of God shines its brightest.

Pray:

Adoration: God is holy, mighty, gracious, and merciful. Spend time declaring your love for Him and expressing your thoughts of praise and worship.

Confession: Ask God to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.

Thanksgiving: Express your thankfulness to God for the blessings He has given you. When we consider that we deserve punishment because of our sinfulness, and instead God gives to us His love and mercy, our only response should be one of thankfulness.

Supplication: Petition God for wisdom. Offer prayers for your activities for this day and any special concerns you might have. Intercede for your immediate family and other relatives regarding their spiritual, emotional, and physical needs.