The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want…

Wanting. Craving. Coveting. These are not good places in which to dwell. These attitudes leave us empty and incomplete. Intellectually, we are perfectly aware of this fact. But it’s our heart that betrays us. That empty place deep within that cries out to be filled. If you are a human being, living on this planet, then you know what I mean.

Christmas is approaching. Soon we’ll be celebrating Advent and my messages will be directing us toward the celebration of hope and love and joy and peace. But right now, lets look at Christmas as celebrated by our culture. If you’re like me, you will spend too much money on stuff for loved-ones and even on yourself. Shopping becomes some sort of feeding frenzy. What are we doing?

I suggest we take a moment to evaluate our idea of Christmas giving. For every dollar we spend on stuff we want for our friends and family, try to spend a dollar on a stranger in need. As a culture, we spend more on neighbors and strangers on Halloween than on Christmas day. Let that sink in.

The Christmas season should be a time to celebrate the wholeness and Shalom breaking forth in our world through Christ. A time when the Light breaks through the darkness! This should not be a season of craving, needing, coveting or wanting. My plan this year is to prayerfully consider how to share the resources God has entrusted to me. My prayer? “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want!”

See you Sunday!
Missy