"I hear the sound of generosity ... the Salvation Army rings,
And bells on T.V. telling me, Another angel got its wings'.
In every shop, in every mall, on every side of town, They're ringing up the sales, and we all know that familiar sound. And I love all this season holds in store.
But deep within there's something I want more. Speak to me, speak to me. Lord, will You give me peace? Tell me truth, call my name through the Christmas noise. I long to hear Your voice, speak to me ..... "
From Speak to Me by Tony Wood and Ronnie Freeman
These are lyrics from a song that I sang at our church's Christmas program, and I have been truly challenged this Christmas to slow down and listen for what God is telling me. It is not easy being a stay at home mom and trying to manage taking care of myself too. In addition, it makes me so sad to see everyone buzzing around trying to find the perfect gift, when He has already been given to us!
Marc and I are going through a great devotional called "A Shelter in the Time of Storm" by Paul David Tripp. It takes us through Psalm 27 and has been a HUGE factor in my spiritual growth at this time. Whether or not you are going through a storm...it's relevant! This portion really stood out to me as it relates also to the whole idea of "Christmas noise":
"You weren't hardwired to be independently okay. You weren't hardwired to produce in yourself a system of experiences, relationships, and conclusions that would give you rest.You were designed to find your solid rock only in a dependent, loving, worshipful relationship with Another. In this way, every human being is on a quest for God; the problem is we don't know that, and in our quest for stability, we attempt to stand on an endless catalog of God-replacements that end up sinking with us."
Friends, this Christmas, don't rely on gifts and time with family to be your God-replacements. My prayer is that all those that read this find hope in Christ, the only One who can give us lasting hope!
