Thinking about what you want for Christmas this year? Is it something small? Something large? Something functional?
Something absurd? A new electronic? A piece of jewelry?
I’m thinking…Eternal. Lasting. Sisterly. Brotherly. Neighborly. Loving. Fruitful.
There are so many things in this world that we want or need.
So many things we strive to accomplish.
Peace.
Cures.
Solutions.
What if we thought about the opposite? What we don’t need.
Here’s my list of what I don’t need this Christmas.
I don’t need earthly gain Jesus. I need a heavenly perspective. Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
I don’t need sunshine without rain. I need the rain of the Holy Spirit to pour out until the sun shines through in glimmers of hope. Acts 2:33 Now he sits on the throne of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.
I don’t need prestige or power. I need humility to come before a Holy God whom I could never repay. James 4:6 God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.
I don’t need the strength of a trained athlete. I need a God who is able to use my weakness and make me strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9. My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
I don’t need a perfect life because I know you have perfected the ending in heaven with you. 2 Chronicles 31:18 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
I don’t need peace on earth. I need a fire down deep in my soul. Burning for the lost. Crying for the wayward. Luke 12:49-53 I’ve come to start a fire on this earth—how I wish it were blazing right now! I’ve come to change everything, turn everything rightside up—how I long for it to be finished! Do you think I came to smooth things over and make everything nice? Not so. I’ve come to disrupt and confront! From now on, when you find five in a house, it will be—
Three against two,
and two against three;
Father against son,
and son against father;
Mother against daughter,
and daughter against mother;
Mother-in-law against bride,
and bride against mother-in-law.
I don’t need a flawless body. I am blemished but I was bought with a price. 2 Corinthians 5:2 NLT We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long for the day when we will put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing.
I pray you are all thinking about your “Don’t Need List” this year. If you were to take some time to think about it, what are some earthly things you don’t need? Do any of these resonate with you?
Love and blessings,
Melanie
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