More Than a Messy Christmas; How to manage those Messy Seasons of Life

    

    The Christmas season can often feel a bit too stressful. It can become a period of intense planning and busyness. We create detailed strategies for baking, decorating, gift-buying, and attending events. Then there are the school events, and plays that we have to attend. Make time to go down and see the city lights. Make time to watch all those Christmas movies you have watched a 1,000 times before. We pour time and energy into ensuring everything goes according to our vision.

    But what happens when our plans fall apart? Maybe a tradition has to change, or a loved one is missing due to sickness or death. The stress of finding the right gift or the pressure of finances can lead to frustration and sadness. While Christmas is a joyous occasion for many, for others, it can be down right depressing.

    It’s easy in these moments—when our perfect vision is interrupted—to feel frustrated, saddened, or even feel like we must be cursed or facing punishment. We can find ourselves getting angry or depressed. 

    When we look at the original Christmas narrative, we see someone whose life plans were completely interrupted: Mary. She was committed to doing everything right, preserving herself for marriage. Then, the Angel Gabriel arrived with news that would change her life and potentially shatter her social standing.

    Can you imagine her internal conflict? What do you mean I am going to have a baby? How will I explain this to my family? What will Joseph think? Will he still marry me? Her carefully laid plans were changed in a moment and in a profound way.

    Yet, the angel’s message immediately pointed her attention to a truth far greater than her personal anxieties:

“And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.” (Luke 1:28, ESV)

    The first thing the angel did to reassure Mary was to tell her that she had found favor with God. The angel wanted her to know that these changed plans were not a punishment; in fact, it was the opposite. God loved her, and she had found His favor. 

    What the angel wanted her to grasp was that this change in plans was exactly what God wanted. There was a greater purpose for it—God was doing something greater than she could ever expect.

The Shepherd’s Voice in the Midst of the Messy Seasons of Life

    As believers in Christ, the words the angel spoke to Mary apply to us as well. Because of Jesus, we too have found favor with God, and the Lord is with us; we are not alone.

This calls us back to the illustration Jesus used, where He described Himself as the true Shepherd:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” (John 10:1-5, ESV) 

    Jesus reminds us how sheep follow the voice of their shepherd. In the same way we are called to recognize and follow Jesus’s voice. He knows you and he even knows the hairs on your head. Jesus leads from the front, gently guiding us, providing protection and provision throughout our life.

    When your plans are interrupted, changed, or completely destroyed, you need to step back, take a breath, and remember that the Lord is with you. Maybe, just maybe, those changed plans were God’s plans all along. Like a good shepherd, God maybe leading you toward something far greater, or moving you away from some danger. 

Don't Follow the Crowd, Follow Christ in the Messy Seasons of Life

    In life, we can often feel compelled to follow the leader or the crowd just to fit in. We fear being the odd one out. But what if what everyone is doing is wrong? 

    The world has many voices—strangers' voices—that can lead us astray. The world may accept all sorts of things that the Bible is clear are wrong. As followers of Christ, our desire must be to pattern our life on the timeless word of God. We must learn to discern the voice of Jesus from others by aligning what we hear with Scripture.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, ESV) 

    We are not called to fit in just for the sake of fitting in. It was unpopular for Jesus to speak to the Samaritan woman, to sit with tax collectors and sinners, or to go against the current religious norms. Yet, He made it clear that He would not budge on the things found in God’s word.

    We must continually renew our minds and conform our lives not by feelings, emotions, or what is popular, but by the very Word of God. This is how we can confidently follow His voice, knowing He leads us with love and care.

4 Practical Steps for Discerning God's Voice in a Messy Season of Life

How can you be certain you are following the Shepherd, especially when your plans are messy and the world is loud?

Settle Your Salvation (Respond to the Gospel): The starting point of a relationship with Jesus is responding to the gospel. Jesus Christ died on the cross so that you might be restored and forgiven of your sins. Accepting Him as your Savior ensures you are truly part of God's flock. If you are not certain, get that settled today, for this relationship is the foundation for hearing His voice.

Cultivate an Intimate Relationship: Being a Christian is more than getting saved; we must cultivate and build on that relationship. Spend time in prayer and reading the Bible to become familiar with His voice. The closer you get to Jesus, the more easily you will be able to hear His direction.

Filter All Advice Through Scripture: Don't allow the worries, fears, and uncertainties of life to cause you to lose sight of the love of God. Be mindful of strangers' voices. Not every voice needs to be listened to, and not every piece of advice needs to be followed. Align everything you hear with the Scriptures to discern the truth.

Trust His Provision and Protection: Trust that Jesus, as our Shepherd, leads us on the right path. Believe that He cares for our needs, just as the shepherd provides for the sheep. God loved you enough to die for you, and He will provide and protect you. Seek His direction through prayer and reflection on His Word as you navigate life's challenges and decisions.