I have to say that I love Christmas. I love the presents, the giving, the food, the lights, the laughter, music and family time. I love that we get to remember specifically that Jesus came to bring peace to all mankind.
In our house we celebrate the most on Christmas Day and especially lunchtime. There is a lot of food and if one is wise you pace yourself to be able to eat and enjoy this special Christmas meal. The problem is that leading up to and even on Christmas Day there is always so much other food available before the real meal. You could easily snack yourself full before you even got to the main course, and so spoil your appetite.
As I was contemplating the need to eat in stages and to not fall into the trap of ruining my appetite I realised you could say the same about a relationship with Jesus. In each of us is an emptiness that is designed and vacant for the specific purpose of us having a relationship with Him. If we are spiritually aware we recognise this emptiness inside and choose to invite Jesus into that space in our lives.
We can however also waste a lot of time and energy “snacking” on things that never truly satisfy in an attempt to fill this emptiness. We can even make the mistake of relegating Jesus to the background if we do know Him because we are filling up on other pursuits rather than seeking a deep and meaningful relationship and connection with Him. This snacking can come in many forms such as travel, careers, relationships, and money; the accumulating of material possessions and seeking after success. In themselves these are not bad things, but in comparison to the completeness that we find in a relationship with Jesus they don’t compare and could be typified as snack food when we could have the ‘roast dinner” in Jesus who is the real feast.
Today on the Eve of Christmas I encourage you to not fill up your life on those things that act much like snack food. They taste good initially, but leave you feeling hungry and lacking in true sustenance. Instead choose to feast on the goodness of Jesus and a growing meaningful relationship with Him that will fill all the empty places in your heart and bring you lasting peace and joy. (John 10:10)
“Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. “Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live.” (Isaiah 55:2)
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form. And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” (Colossians 2:9-10)
Have a listen to this song by Kim Walker to encourage you today to be filled with His love and presence. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyNYdC5XUmo
Prayer: Lord please help me to recognise where I have been “snacking” on those things that were never designed to bring me lasting true peace and joy in an effort to fill the empty places in my life. Would you please come and fill my heart and life up with your love today. In Jesus name Amen