I’m not sure what comes to your mind when you ponder the title of this article. I suppose those words are not commonly spoken. In my own history, I can think of times I certainly have behaved. I also recall some times I have not. Hopefully the times I have behaved are becoming my norm as I work hard to know God better.
Anyway, I’d like to delve into this unusual statement – “I have behaved.” Did you know it comes straight out of Scripture?
Have you noticed the talking points of world news recently? Wars, rumors of war, famines, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornados, forest fires, floods, demonstrations in the streets, military muscles flexing, political unrest, various discriminations, mounting deceptions, despair. And more! Wow. What a state our world is in. Is it even possible to contemplate good plans for hope and a future?
You prepare for Christmas in so many ways. But how do you prepare your heart?
Advent
The Christmas Advent Season has been richly celebrated for many years. Historically, an advent marks the arrival of a notable person or event. Often, a wreath with candles has been used during Christmas Advent, lighting a new candle on each of four weeks leading up to Christmas Day.
Even if you choose not to use a wreath with candles, there are simple, thoughtful ways you can prepare your heart.
This is the first in a series to help prepare your heart for Christmas. Each week we will light another candle in our hearts as a statement of preparation. (Notice each additional week’s article in this series has another candle lit in the main featured image.)
While I recently re-read a favorite author, I was encouraged to keep pursuing something God placed in my heart years ago. So – what is that something? “Rise Up Higher.” And what’s the relevance with the world in such upheaval? Well, I can tell you this – it’s a really good place to live – with many practical applications. So, I hope you will be encouraged with this content.
Have you ever been stuck? You want to break free and make progress, but a helpless feeling pervades. Still, part of you knows there has to be an option to get unstuck. What a miserable place: feeling suspended, unable to maneuver, paralyzed to come up with a plan. Yet, in your heart, and with God’s help, you suspect you are able to get unstuck – somehow! You just don’t know how.
It is a terrible feeling to be stuck in the corner. Trapped by problems. Maneuverability seems so limited. Fear starts to do its work. Many times life feels like this. No matter how hard you’ve tried to do your best and make good decisions, sometimes you are just stuck in the corner. What options do you have in this place?
Life is hard! How do you get through it all? When too many painful seasons chain together, we start asking serious questions. Most people’s questions flow out of losses, disappointments, and pain.