Peace On Earth December Challenge

One of the blogs that I follow ( WomenLivingWell.org) is presenting a December challenge for all of us. I have decided to join in and wanted to share the challenge with all of you! Here is the challenge and blog post from Women Living Well.

"Because We Do Not Rest - We Lose Our Way "

Christmas is now less than 2 weeks away and I know that all of our to-do lists are a mile long. And because of our strong desire to make Christmas special and meaningful we women do not rest. And because we do not rest, we miss our target...our target for peace, joy and love. We feel overwhelmed, irritable, frustrated and unappreciated. Emotionally we lose our way.

We have been poisoned by the belief that more cookies, more presents, more decorations, more parties, more more more will make us happier. Even when we are pursuing something noble such as serving others at Christmas through charity the over-activity brings chaos to our homes and families.

This frantic pace most often means that we are also lacking in time alone with God to listen, to gain strength, and to gain wisdom. And sadly, we begin to act like the rest of the world. As the world grasps for joy in things and activity - we also begin to grasp for joy in things and activity. And then December 26th comes and guilt sets in...it's over...and maybe it was lots of fun...but we are left with this hollow feeling of the emptiness that things and activity bring.

Today in Ohio, we are in the midst of a icy snow storm. I am thankful for this forced dormancy. A time where we must stay inside. As I look out the window, I am reminded of how much of nature is dormant in the winter time. It is a time of rest for our plants and animals and come spring time these plants and animals will display the majesty of their creator.

In the same way, we women need forced dormant moments, where we come inside and rest. We need quiet and unproductive moments to be Women Living Well. We need to be drinking from the living well - that is the living waters of Jesus. We need to be in his word. We need to be in prayer. It may appear unproductive in the moment but figuratively speaking - come spring time - we will display the majesty of our creator when we have rested with our sweet Jesus.


So our challenge this week brings Psalm 23 to mind.
1. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. 3. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.


Are you experiencing the green pastures, the quiet waters and the restoration of your soul that Psalm 23 speaks of from resting with your Shepherd?


Remember how the crowds pressed in on Jesus every where he went. Every where he turned there was a need unmet and though there was SO much to do - he withdrew to rest. Luke 5:16 says,"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."


If Jesus needed alone time with God then certainly we do. Just think of the wisdom he wants to impart to you, the strength and the peace you may be missing out on.


Give yourself permission to not have your to-do list all checked off in order for you to rest and get alone with God.


This week's challenge: Pull out your calendar and SCHEDULE a night where you will go to bed very very early. Take your Bible with you to bed and read in bed for at least 5 minutes. Read in Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2, Jeremiah 23:5, and Isaiah 53. These are prophecies that were fulfilled by the birth and life of Jesus. Get extra blankets for a warm nights rest, pray God gives you deep rest and that no one wakes you. Then turn out the lights and sleep. I pray that when you wake, you face the new day of Christmas stress with extra strength and vigor.

I have decided to go over these scriptures every night before bed from now until Christmas. Please join me.
If you are participating in this challenge leave a comment below with how it's going - if you are a blogger copy this button into your blog post, write about how it's going and link up below!

Blessings,
Sarah