In Season

 

To every thing there is a season,

and a time to every purpose under

the heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Preach the word; be instant

in season, out of season...

II Timothy 4:2a

About this time of year, many folks experience falling into the doldrums. In our country, we've gone through lots of holiday hoopla. It started October 1 and ended January 2...lots of celebrating, purchasing, eating, decorating, dressing up, anticipation of parties and gifts...and on an on. Whether we like it or not, or whether we even participate in all of the hilarity, we are caught up in it all emotionally. January 2 arrives and about all there is to get excited about are football teams, pro and college finishing up their seasons. If we aren't into football, we don't even have that going for us.

I spoke with a friend many years ago who was a part of the funeral business. That funeral home had just had a service for someone who had committed suicide. In our conversation, I asked if there are certain months in the year where the suicide rate seems to be higher than other times. Two months were mentioned. One I couldn't understand but the other was obvious....August and January. January I understood because it is a real “downer” month after all of the holiday highs. Perhaps when it comes to August, there can be a lot of change, but I'm not sure about this month.

Believe it or not, we Christians are just as affected by the three months of holiday events as is anyone else. Even though we may take part in church activities that consists of class parties, children's Christmas programs, family Thanksgiving dinners, choir specials and there are probably more I could list, we are still affected. All of these events for we Christians are wonderful, wholesome, blessings and memorable in every way. We may be busy singing all of the Christmas hymns (as I choose to call them), read the familiar holiday Scriptures, extend generosity to those in need...all good things.

Here's the sad thing in it all...our Father is usually pushed to the back of our minds, if not left out completely. It's easy to become lax in our usual activity for Him that often replaces our love and service for God. When we get past it all, it's as if we suddenly wake up to the fact that we'd better get back to some normalcy. The problem is that it's hard playing catch up. We can't really make up the time lost because of our intensive involvement in so many other things. Those three months of holiday activities can move us backward instead of forward spiritually speaking.

So how do we get back on track?

We first need to confess our spiritual negligence to God and make any necessary corrections. Hopefully we learn from mistakes and try with all that is in us to do better the next holiday season in sticking with spiritual priorities. In order to solve a problem, we have to admit that there is one and then make necessary changes.

Secondly, embrace the new year. There are things we can plan for 2014 to look forward to...vacations, weddings, birth of babies in the family, spiritual retreats, etc. All such things will keep us looking forward.

Third, we need to set some goals, spiritual and otherwise that will bring some real growth in our lives. Some of these things could be: work to get out of or stay away from debt, or focus on being physically healthy (physical checkup, dental checkup, be faithful to taking any prescribed medications, exercise, eat healthy, etc.). We need to evaluate where we are spiritually. One of the dangers of holidays and their frivolity is that we are pulled away from our normal spiritual routine. This is where it gets difficult because it's hard to get back to some normalcy in our own power. We have to rely on the Holy Spirit for the power and resolve to serve God in every way. We also have to determine some things within ourselves. We are too quick to give in to defeat, declaring our weakness and helplessness. As God's kids, there should be no such thing as giving up spiritually when we have His power at our fingertips.

If we go by feelings, we will rarely read our Bibles, pray or remain faithful to spiritual responsibilities. There must be a determination and a grit in us to do what is right in God's sight. In this case, determination and obedience go hand in hand. My hope for us all is to be faithful...in season and out of season. No matter the days or times, our faithfulness in relationship with our Father must be maintained. This will be done through Holy Spirit power in each of our lives.

Dear Father, forgive me for my lack of spiritual discipline no matter the days or holidays. I want to be faithful to You and maintain my fellowship with You no matter the times. Thank You for Your forgiveness and for the love You pour into my life, knowing that nothing can separate me from Your love. In Jesus' precious name...Amen.