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Can you believe we only have five days until Christmas?! It's like I blinked; the whole year is gone, and Christmas is here! The holiday season brings much joy but can also bring feelings of being overwhelmed and inadequate. Women seem to carry the burden of creating the perfect holiday for their families- the decorations, the gifts, the food, the baking, and recreating holiday memories and traditions. We want everything to be just right, especially for our children. But, if we aren't careful, in all the busyness and distraction, the real reason for Christmas gets lost, and Christmas Day comes and goes, and we wonder if it was enough.
This year, our hula ministry at church is doing a worship special. The song we will be dancing to isn't your typical "holiday" song- it's "Walk With You" by Michael Bethany, and each time we practice, it's like God himself is reinforcing this truth- that what really matters in this life is the importance of seeking the Lord daily and prioritizing Him above all else. My favorite lyrics go like this-
Early in the morning
You wait for me to rise
Counting down the seconds
Till I open up my eyes
I hear your invitation
You have been so patient
Lord, this is my reply
I want to walk with you
And talk with you
Hear you speaking
Feel you breathing
By the quiet waters
You fill me with your peace
Through the darkest valley
I know that you're with me
The beauty of your presence
Fills me with assurance
That you are all I need
The song reminds me that our beautiful Shepherd, King Jesus, is so passionate about us! He is jealous for us, and He desires that we seek His presence over presents, traditions, and everything else!
Micah 6:8 reminds us, "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."
Act justly. Love mercy. Walk with God.
The irony is that today, December 19th, in my beloved daily devotional, Lion Bites, this is the exact topic. So, I feel compelled to share it with you….
The Scripture comes from Luke 6:17-19:
"He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, 19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all."
And the devotion reads:
The Lord says:
"Come close enough to feel my power. Come close enough to touch me. Your healing is found in me. Come and learn from me. I want to walk so closely to you that you can reach out and touch me at any time. I want to walk so closely with you that you feel my power. I want others to see me in you!
In that close proximity to me, your mind is at peace; Your heart is untroubled. In walking so close to me, your body is healed. Come and learn the lifestyle of living in my presence! I will never leave nor forsake you. Stay right by my side. Learn from me and listen to my words. Take delight in my teaching and my companionship.
I have seen you as you have wondered where the power-filled life is. You have wondered if my power truly exists and if you will ever see it manifest through you. Let me tell you right now that if you walk with me, you will naturally reflect my power and my presence to those around you. Others will come close to you because they see me in you. And you will know me so well that you will never wonder again about my power. You will know me as the one who flows in power."
What a beautiful reminder- there is power and peace in His presence.
Desiring to hear Him speaking and feel Him breathing- that's how we walk with Him. That's how He provides everything that we need! The closer we are to Him, abiding in Him, resting in Him that’s where the power and peace reside.
Ladies: The greatest gift we can give and receive this holiday season is to walk with the Lord beside the still waters, for in His presence, we have the power to accomplish everything needed, and we will have peace knowing that our holidays will be perfect. Not because of the gifts or the traditions but because we have the King of Glory with us! I pray you have a blessed Christmas and that you give the gift of walking so close to Christ that you reflect his presence and power wherever you go!