I don’t know about you all, but sometimes Christmastime can be the most stressful time of the year…everyday there’s something to do, somewhere to go, something to buy, on top of all the other day-to-day business of life. You are expected to be happy, and cheerful constantly, even if you feel tired or worn down. There’s a certain amount of pressure to spend a lot of money, and buy the right presents for everyone and if you don’t have the money for that—too bad. Christmas will wipe you broke, and if it doesn’t our culture seems to teach that you didn’t fully enjoy Christmas for all it was worth.
Don’t get me wrong—I love Christmas. But I long for a purer Christmas, a real Christmas. I love snow, and lights, and smiles, and cookies, and laughter…and I love time with family, reading and acting out the Christmas story…and I love caroling parties singing ‘Joy to the World.’ But I think that sometimes Christmas is too much about busy-ness…and not enough about rest. “Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinner reconciled” is certainly lost in this time of go, go, go. I’d encourage you all this Christmas to challenge what our culture deems appropriate for the season. To seek out the true Meaning of Christmas and the rest that comes through Him.
In aspects of leadership, these reflections also ring true. Leaders, especially those who have lead for a long time, can often become run down in their work and have difficulty finding the joy in what they once had joy and peace in. Sometimes their purpose becomes hazy, and they lose motivation. Similarly, I think it is important for leaders to not try to lead on their own. In fully relying on Him, they can find rest and reassurance.
December 6th, 2012 at 11:20 am
I 100% agree with you. As of recently, Christmas has come to represent many different aspects, and sometimes we as humans forget the true reason for the season. In terms of leadership, leaders do get bored. However, I feel that if a leader does get bored with something, then the drive behind whatever it is has gotten lost. When you’ve advocated for a cause for so long, the repetitiveness can take its toll on one’s level of passion. The key to overcoming this is to remember the true meaning behind why you began in the first place.