Christmas Season is upon us! We are bombarded with all kinds of goodies, rich foods, heavy hor d’oeuvres, and scrumptious meals….Need I say more? We must be very intentional to stay healthy during the holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year. For many of us, it is one long, continuous indulgence. Come the first of January we have to–shall we say– balance the scales? I encourage you to stop before attending parties and feast and contemplate a plan. If not you will unintentionally consume an enormous amount of fat and calories. Do not stop your exercise. Read the November update on my website (www.masterpiecefitness.com) for benefits of cold weather exercise and make it a priority. Don’t allow physical activity to get pushed out of your busy life at this time. Make taking care of yourself a priority, not an after thought.
I know from personal experience and from working in the health and fitness industry, I cannot treat people simply physically. We are made up of spirit, mind, and body. People who are spiritually healthy are much happier people, which make healthier people. In this writing I want to address the spiritual since this time of year means so much to so many spiritually.
I begin every morning caring for myself spiritually. For me that means getting in the Presence of the Holy Spirit with the Words of God. It means lingering in His Presence in worship, thanksgiving, and prayer. I listen for the still small voice that I have come to recognize. During this time, He allows me to unwrap the most beautiful, priceless gift I will receive this Christmas which is more revelation of Who the Light of the World is. It is my greatest joy to share this with you.
This year I began with a simple verse out of Isaiah 9:2. “The people who walk in darkness will see a great Light; Those who live in a dark land, the Light will shine on them.” The Light has come! The prophecies from Isaiah were written in 740-680B.C. This is the promise we celebrate at Christmas. The Great Light came in the form of a baby named Jesus. Many years later the book of John was written in 85-90 A.D. and quotes Jesus as a man. Then Jesus spoke, “I AM the Light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the Light of Life.” John 8:12
Darkness can never overwhelm light. It is a simple concept we can all grasp. No matter how large a dark room is, a small candle lit will expel the darkness. Darkness cannot put out the light.
We live in a dark land today as did the people in the time of Isaiah. Daily the darkness increases. There is no leadership in Washington to lead us out. We have darkness in our families, churches, and schools. How can we come out of the darkness as a nation? It begins with personal responsibility. We as individuals have to get the darkness out of our own hearts and minds. We must believe what the Word of God says. The Light is here! We must come into the Light of His Presence and allow His Words to penetrate our darkened hearts and minds. It is the only hope we have as individuals and for this great nation. As we allow the Light of the World to lead us out of our own darkness we can shine His Light to others we come in contact with daily. Whether we like it or not we are either shining light or bringing in darkness. What are you carrying into the church you attend on Sunday morning? By allowing ourselves to be filled with Light daily we can change our families. Our children can take Light into the schools. We can take Light into the office, a plant, or wherever your work place is. The end result can be a changed nation that has returned to the Christian faith and values that made it a great nation at its birth.
The answer will never change. God never changes. His Word is not outdated and never will be. Jesus is still the Light of the World. It was true 2000 years ago, and it will be true in 2000 more years. God’s Words are eternal and so is the Messiah, Emanuel. The Light we will see one day face to face is Beautiful. There are no words in the English language to describe His Beauty. Quiet yourself and come into the Light of His Presence where darkness cannot stay. Follow the Light! May every Christmas light you look upon this year be a reminder of the coming of the Light of the World and may you go forth this Christmas Season shining as His Light.
My prayer is that we will not only be aware of this truth during Christmas, but may it be true all year. Let this be the year you determine to be a vessel of His Light. I promise you a healthier, happier, year for all.
Merry Christmas from Masterpiece Fitness!
Teresa I loved reading this!!!! Thank you for the true, inspiring words! Love you!!!!
Thank you, Pam. That is the cry of my heart, to present the truth of God’s Word and inspire others to know His love, and in turn to love Him with their all. Thank you for the encouragement.