Piles of new toys sit next to crumpled paper for wrapping. The tree lays lifeless along the road and white lights no longer glow about. Back to reality. Back to the mundane. Back to work. Back to a life of discipline and routine.
Toys rust, dust gathers, new things fade fast… and so does our happiness. Happiness is fleeting and promises what it can not fulfill. A temporary, earthly, fleeting emptiness, never completely fulfilled. When happiness leaves, despair spreads like wildfire. It burns fast and furious through your home, your mind, and your heart. It is the worst kind of thief and will steal more than you could ever imagine.
We seek possessions and earthly experiences only to be left wanting. Why not seek to open that big package still unopened? It sits where a tree use to be, in that corner over there. See it? It’s plain, no bows, no glittery gold ribbons.
What you will find when you open it: Jesus Christ and His perfect Joy. What JOY will give you:
1) Much more than it ever promises!
2) Inner peace no matter what the circumstances of the day.
3) Satisfaction in Jesus and an eternal perspective.
4) A quiet, still confidence in God’s work in your life.
5) A life of purpose and contentment.
Are you suffering from the after Christmas blues? Did you forget to open that last gift? I’ll be right over here, opening the same gift with you!
Philippians 3:8-10:
Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.
Thanks for visiting!
Maid4Him says
Amen Traci. God has us on the same train of thought. Check out my blog post on December 23rd(titled the greatest Christmas gift ever given, and even the one I posted this morning . I enjoy reading your blog. May the Lord bless your “New Day”! Ruth
Jenifer says
Amen!
Tara says
amen! Beautiful
Nicole says
thanks
Rebekah says
Beautifully put, friend! It truly is a GIFT, and one that keeps on giving throughout the entire year! xo
Rebecca says
Yep, back to discipline is right! Haha. I miss Christmas already 😉
Rachel says
Yes! The best gift of all :).
The Better Baker says
What an awesome post! Is it any wonder I love you SO…Sister in the Lord!? Thanks for sharing this. Love love love your blog too.
Craig says
Traci, Last year I had them. It was my first bloggy Christmas – and reading so many Chrismassy blogs led to an AMAZING Advent. Then when it was over – such a big let down (Easter too) – I think maybe we need a 10 day calm period – a “post”vent maybe – to settle back in and breathe and look back. Just sayin’. I hearted this post – and I DID open the most important gift. Thank you Traci, and God bless you.