Day 16: Monday, December 18

So often we worry, we are anxious, we are consumed with many situations that we really have no control over. One way to be reminded about this ‘anxiousness’ is to look back over your emails or texts or journals to see what you are writing most about or what keeps you awake at night. To experience the peace of Christ, we often need to reframe our situation, and rather than try to control everything in our lives, we need to lean into the situation and ask, what can I learn from this?  How can this help mold my character and trust God or others a little more? There is an unexpected peace in allowing God to take control and simply enjoy the journey. 

This song serves as a confession and reminds us of who is in control and reminds us of the benefit of checking our priorities, especially around this season. Click here. This song could easily be a prayer, listen to it as you prepare for Christmas, and remember our Peace is obtained by giving control to Jesus.

Lord, thank you for a new day and a new week.

Lord, help manage my expectations towards Christmas. Use me as an instrument of your hope, joy and peace as I interact with friends and family. When things don’t go as I planned or people behave differently than I expected, Lord, help me to remember, In light of eternity, what difference will it make? Remove my anxiety and replace it with your peace.

Thank you for New Life and our ministries. Provide leaders and volunteers where we need them. Use everything about our upcoming Christmas Eve Services to encourage the tired, broken, and weary people who come here or who may be watching. Use the creative elements to break through the barriers that people have put up and remind us all of your grace and love.

May I take the time to be silent before you and reflect on all you have given to me and the world.

AMEN