Submitted by Barbara Boykin, PWOCI Leadership Selection
Jesus is the reason for the season!!! This is my favorite time of the year, considering my birthday is only two days away and Christmas is right around the corner. When I was growing up I never got birthday parties because my birthday was so close to Christmas. My first birthday party was given to me by my husband the December before we got married. It was a joyous occasion and one I will never forget. I have always loved Christmas from the time I was a little girl and it continues to be time for family gatherings, food and so much love. I think about the love of God shed abroad in our hearts and in this season we can give abundantly just as God gave to us.
The abundant life is knowing the best that God has to give. It is higher than your highest dreams, deeper than your deepest desires, greater than your greatest hopes. You can be content because you know your life in Him means you are not missing out on something better. Your heart can rest because when you have found Him to be your life; your search for meaning is over. When you have heard His call, your need for purpose has ended. When you have followed His way, your longing for direction has been fulfilled, so you can rest in quiet trust. Quietness is a state of peace at heart and personal well-being that does the will of God with an attitude of praise, a disposition of gratitude and a makeup of joy. It is the assurance that you are doing what God wants, in God’s way, at God’s time, for God’s glory.
So as this season manifests itself in your home and in your life, may you find the peace of God that passes all understanding, the love of God that transcends all things beautiful and the power of God that gives you the strength to run the race in VICTORY.
