November and December are busy months in the lives of worship pastors. We often task ourselves (if not tasked by others) to help people to focus on Jesus rather than the busyness of the season. To let go of the stress and burden and fatigue found in the busyness of the season. Ironically, I can encourage people to forgo the busyness, yet be burdened myself by it in the very preparation of the worship services which help people focus on Jesus!
Hypocrisy at its finest. (Yes, pastors have that problem too.)
Tis also the season for many to look back on those they miss, whether through the loss of death or the loss of heartbreak or the loss of a move far away. This loss, grief, and sorrow can put a blue tint on the season.
Yet, it does not have to be that way.
Whether its busyness, fatigue, stress, grief, or sorrow (and the list doesn't stop there), the "reason for the season" IS the cure. How ironic. Read this translation from The Message of Psalm 42:5... Why are you down in the dumps, dead soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God - soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God.
The answer for being down in the dumps, for feeling blue, is to fix your eyes on God. Focus on Jesus! Then you will praise again. A praise which remembers the joy placed within you. A joy placed by Jesus himself. A joy that can not be removed. A joy which can overcome the blue.
Here are some steps I have needed to take over fifteen years in ministry so that my holiday can stay green and red. I imagine they may help you as well.
1. Read the Christmas story in Matthew and Luke throughout December.
2. Pray continually thanking God for the joyous gift of Jesus.
3. Spend quality time with your family, loving them well.
4. Don't allow your work to overtake numbers 1-3 above. (There will always be more work.)
5. Don't allow gift buying or party making to overtake 1-3 above. (Its not the gifts or the parties that make it Christmas.)
Remember Psalm 42:5. Compare your cry of the blues to the joy of Jesus. It will lead you to praise him well.
worship Him 24/7...
scott