Tip of My Iceberg

       photo courtesy of freestocks on Unsplash

‘Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the house,

All were rushing and scurrying like a panicked little mouse.

Christmas lists kept growing, always more gifts to buy,

“Keep an eye on the budget,” was the ongoing cry.

Decorations were half up, the rest strewn all over,

With little hope of the job being finished, ever.

I looked around at the mess, disorder, and clutter

And the confusion and disorganization just made me shudder.

Doesn’t that sound like where too many of us are right now? Christmas is in a week, and the focus at this point is too often on finishing the festivities and gift purchases.

Often at the cost to our own sanity, our physical and mental health.

That’s not what this season is about.

We all long for peace, for the space to be who we are without judgement or criticism. We’re thirsty for hope, to fill ourselves fully with what our hearts long for.

At Christmas, we act like more stuff and clutter will fill the gaps in our hearts.

That doesn’t do it.

A prophecy about the Messiah was foretold by Isaiah 700 years before the birth of Jesus. Isaiah saw a clear picture of what the fulfillment of God’s Promise would look like.

“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink–even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk–it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. Come to Me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David….Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near.” Isaiah 55:1-3, 6

Jesus is there for us if we seek Him. He knows how thirsty we are for life itself, but we often satisfy that thirst, that hunger, with junk food and soda, which will never be what we need.

Jesus alone can satisfy our hunger and thirst for hope and light in the dreary wearies of life. He has promised to give us love, unconditional and abundant love.

That’s the gift that my heart longs for.