Overcoming The World

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

"Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?" Luke 9:23-25

It seems that we are constantly learning the lesson to be not of the world. Material possession and affluence are such an ingrained part of society today that it's really a difficult challenge. Apparently so difficult that we need to relearn it twice in one year. It's so easy this time of year to get caught up in the material side of the season. I love to give gifts! But there's a big difference between giving gifts because you want to, and giving gifts because you have to. When you give gifts because you have to, that's when you spend a lot of money, and when you spend a lot of time wandering the stores and the malls, looking for that perfect something. That completely adds to the stress of the season, don't you think? I've caught myself just recently, looking at the empty checking account and thinking about all the gifts "I have to buy yet."

I have decided to change that mentality. I know it's going to be difficult, but I am going to give gifts only because I want to. No longer is it going to be in my mind, the list of people I must give a gift to. It's people I would love to give a gift to, and what gift I would love to give. And as I've been trying to change my mind, other, new gift ideas have popped into my mind. Gifts from the heart that will likely mean more than just another thing off the shelf.

There is also the act of receiving gifts. Who doesn't love to get a gift? A few months back I made my annual wish list, and I made the specific comment that I didn't really want stuff. If someone saw something they thought I'd like, that would be fine, but I encouraged my giftees to think about a donation somewhere that I would like to donate to. Yet, the closer we've gotten to Christmas, the more I've thought about "the stuff" that I would like to have. It's that materialism creeping back up on me. Sure, some of my thoughts have been practical, like new dish towels and dish cloths, but really, I honestly think it's me getting caught up in the commercialism of Christmas. It's very, very difficult not to.

"It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ," Titus 2:12-13

But mostly, right now, all I want for Christmas is for my husband to have a new job that he can enjoy, and take pride in. A job that he will be safe at. And also a job that will pay him well, so that he also doesn't have to spend each day worrying. Worrying about the bills and how to pay them. And I pray with all my heart that until that time comes, he will stay safe at the job he has. And may God keep me focused on the reason we celebrate Christmas, and keep my eyes off of the store shelves on and Him.