The holiday season is upon us. We’re running here, going there. We’re starting to buy gifts. There’s lots of food prep. You get the idea. It happens every year. It seems like we’re literally running in circles most of the time. People are pulling us in every direction. Bring a dish. Bring a gift etc. We start decorating the house, wrapping gifts and making lists. This is all fine except for the fact that you’re literally worn out. You’re taking inventory of everything in the pantry, everything in the shopping bags and everything on your calendar. You’re taking inventory of any and everything except your heart. Where is your heart in all of this? Are you full of joy or full of anxiety and turmoil?

Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart (‭Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭3‬ NLT). Oh yeah! The Lord. I kind of put Him on the back burner for a while. He knows it’s the holidays and I’ve got things to do. Wait! He IS the holiday! This is what it’s all about. Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat (‭Mark‬ ‭6‬:‭31‬ NLT). He knows exactly what you need. It’s not another appetizer to make. You need to get refocused and get your heart right. The only way this is going to happen is in His quiet presence. Get away from the hustle and bustle and take a much needed rest in the company of your Savior. 

But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭41-42‬ NLT) Jesus said this in response to Martha getting all upset over her sister, Mary, just sitting at the Lord’s feet while she did all the work. Let’s get serious! You’ve got Jesus in your house and you’re more worried about mashed potatoes?! He could snap His fingers and make them appear. He was gently helping Martha take Inventory of her priorities. He instinctively knows that constant tiredness and irritability comes, a lot of times, from having our priorities out of order. He knew His Words would fill an empty soul way more than anything that came out of her kitchen. He wanted to spend time with her and revive her from all of her busyness. Doesn’t this sound like us? We need to draw strength and vitality from Jesus. We will find rest for our souls nowhere else. You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You (‭Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭3‬ NKJV). Isn’t this exactly what Peace on Earth is? If our minds are all over the place, we’re certainly not at peace. Peace is essential for our well being. So, according to scripture, the only way to obtain this peace is to keep our focus on the Lord. To do lists are not your peace. He is!

Time spent in His presence during this season will help us to stay focused on the true importance of his birth, life, death and most importantly – His resurrection! He’s alive! He’s still working in us! For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. (‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬ NLT) Only the things that please Him will bring you eternal joy and not fleeting happiness. He knows we’re busy but He wants us to sit with Him and get our game plan together. He wants to be involved in everything we do. So I encourage you to take an inventory and see if you’re regularly meeting with The King of the universe. If not, why not? The invitation is always available. He doesn’t want you to endure life. He wants you to enjoy it!

Today’s guest writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband Robby and cat Harold.