Candle lighter
There are so many things that divide our hearts these days. Some may talk as if life is a fight to keep the main thing the main thing. During the season of advent, we really need a constant reminder of what Christmas is all about.
The business man
I’ve worked hard to become a successful business man. I’ve attended my share of seminars and worked my way up the ladder. Now, I don’t have to worry about my needs and can pretty much provide for all the wants of my wife and kids. I love to see the looks on their faces Christmas morning! But I’m not a heartless person. I know that happiness doesn’t necessarily depend on my possessions. I do give regularly to charities and try to help friends and family when I can. I make sure the kids put together shoe boxes to send to poorer kids overseas. I donate toys during the holidays to local charities. I give a lot.
But every time I see a need, a battle begins to rage inside of me. I want to do the right things and I want to be happy. It’s like I’m torn. I know what society expects of me. I’ve got to maintain my image if I want to keep my position. I’ve got to be respected, and I’ve got to keep up with the times. And I want the same for my children. I don’t want to spare any expense in trying to put them on the path for success.
But late at night, as I lay in the dark, I begin to wonder if I want my kids to be successful. Do I want them to feel this war raging in them? To feel all of their desires battling against each other? I seem so fractured, and I’m miserable. No amount of fulfilled desires and doing the right things seems to quiet my soul. I fear my wants are bottomless and the needs of the world endless. I never learned to balance needs and wants, or generosity and happiness, in any of those seminars.
The holidays are supposed to be a time of rest for me. It’s the one week the office is closed. But when all is quiet, I feel that war raging inside me, and there’s nothing I can do to quiet that. Oh, I can distract myself for a while, but the battle inside never stops.
Maybe what I really want for my kids, even myself, is peace. I had always assumed success could provide that. Is there rest from this battle in my war-weary soul?
Candle lighter
Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jesus came that we could rest secure, fully assured that in Him we have all we need and more than we could ask. Lord, we are so torn. Unite our hearts to fear your name.
