This week's leadership thought came from a common theme in my
conversations this week. I noticed the fight in my life and in the
lives of others against the tenancy to coast through the last several
weeks of the calendar year. It seems that many people get into a
"Christmas Mode" and take it easy. Not that I'm against rest, it's just
easy to let important stuff slide in the name of YULE. If I'm not
careful, I'll let my health go, eat extra cookies, skip workouts
because it's colder, and to forget a time with God or three. There is a
dangerously sneaky that that can creep into all our lives that would
have us believe, "I'm done for the year. I'll start everything up again
in January."
Earlier this week it occurred to me that it would be much better to
begin 2010 strong instead of digging myself a hole from which I'd
expend massive amounts of emotional, physical, and spiritual energy
attempting to pry myself out of...quite literally if I eat those
stinkin' cookies! So I'm starting now.
Don't get me wrong. Breaks are great! Catch sabbath moments when
appropriate, but I'm not going to tank the rest of my year just because
it's Christmas time and it's fun to be cozy. There is too much at
stake. My family needs me to be present for them, not a lump on the
couch. My church community still needs attention. There are college
kids coming home from there first semester and tons of projects cooking
for 2010. My body and soul still need attention. I don't want to check
out and disconnect with God just because there are dozens of Hallmark
Christmas movies on our DVR. What a great time to spend extra time with
Jesus by our firepit in the back yard!
Please don't take this post as a guilt trip. I just want to remind you
that life is precious and to glean all you can from this holiday
season. Don't forsake meeting with those you love, your church, and
your God. They need you and God has a plan for you that doesn't finish
in mid December. Start new healthy habits now! You can also surrender
some unhealthy ones too. It only takes 21 days right? How great would
it be to start the new year on the run?
Posted on
Friday, December 4, 2009
by Mike Collins
filed under