Ready for War

Odd title for a devotion as we approach  Advent. It's because I'm feeling the impending push upon me. Pressure. Christmas Pressure.Lights are up.Tree is up. Shopping initiated. But my heart is not ready. I can't seem to push play on my Amy Grant Christmas CD. My girls make fun of me because I always play that CD while we put the tree up and decorate. It seems unfitting now, since the baby girls have left the nest. It's sad that they are not here making fun of me! There's some empty Christmas spots this year... Jordan will not be home until January. My grown nieces and nephews will not be home for Christmas. In my heart, I know that my celebration of Christ's birth can't be situational...I need to battle this sense of loss and move on to new joys, new memories and refreshed hope. I have small kids watching...needing me to teach them how wonderful this season is and why.
      John Piper would tell me to "Make War" on my sin. My sin of self-focus. Complacency. Sadness. Lack of Joy. Perhaps people would call it "seasonal depression".  I don't think I'm alone. My delayed and different Christmas is not "real" loss...so many people are spending Christmas with out loved ones because they are now with the LORD.  In my head I understand that it's good for kids to grow up and leave...but what's in my head and what I feel with my heart are two different things. So prayerfully today, I'm taking Dr. Piper's advice. And the Apostle Paul's :) I DECLARE WAR. I will not rest in sadness. I will fight against this sin of taking my eyes off the Gift and the Giver. Our enemy longs to see the children of God focusing on themselves instead of His goodness and His gracious gift in Jesus. " Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" Eph. 6:10-12. I will stand firm. In truth. In righteousness. In faith. In Salvation. In the Word. Wearing some warm winter boots on the feet that are ready to run and share the Gospel of Peace with anyone the LORD puts in front of me. Pray for me that I will speak it boldly as I should...to the praise of His glorious grace.