IN THE INTERIM
Another month has come and gone. Lemonade on the patio has now been replaced with pumpkin spice EVERYTHING. Hoards of people will flock to Starbucks to enjoy a pumpkin spiced latte. I must say that I have never had a pumpkin spice latte. I am saving that for a later time. However, I did treat myself to a pack of pumpkin spice cream wafers. Not bad, but I would not recommend them for a daily snack. There are other pumpkin spice products such as Pumpkin Spice Goldfish, Pumpkin Spice Greek Yogurt, Pumpkin Spice Jell-O, Pumpkin Spice English Muffins, Pumpkin Spice Marshmallows, and the list goes on, and on, and on. This time of year seems to be a time of everything pumpkin.
For us, however, this time of year should be for something different. For us this should be a time of comfort, relaxation, and preparation while still maintaining our given responsibilities. The two months following October are commonly referred to as the holiday season. We start with Thanksgiving, a time to give thanks to the Lord our God for our many blessings. But also a stressful time for those preparing for family visits and meals. Then we fall into the Advent Christmas season. Though this should always be a happy time, it is all too often a month of stress. Regardless, both of these months seem to require much preparation, to the point that for many, exhaustion becomes the norm. But the preparation I’m referring to is one that should prepare us spiritually for the coming months. Preparation to except what is to come. Preparation to place our burdens on the Lord.
There are numerous scriptures that provide us comfort. Read these and think about how they can help your life:
Luke 21:19 “Stand firm, and you will win life.”
Psalm 119:143 “Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight.”
Matthew 6:34 “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Psalm 94:19 “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16 “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”
These are just a few of many. We all have moments when we wonder what is going to happen next. When that happens, refer back to these scriptures and know that the Lord is caring for you in every way.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. John Carey