December 3rd, 2024 – Advent Devotional
As Christmas season rolls around, it typically is a time of great things. We often spend time together, eat great food, and get to do fun activities. For me, anytime it’s below 80 degrees, I am in a good mood, which usually comes with the Christmas season.
This season can be tough also after losing a loved one. I remember the Christmas after my Mimi died. It just didn’t feel the same. I desired to be with her, but I knew that wasn’t going to happen, so I became discouraged. Proverbs 13:12 is a verse that speaks to that. It says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”
When we desire things that seem out of reach or far away, we can get discouraged quickly. But when our desires align with God’s timing and purposes, it leads to joy and excitement. Solomon consistently tells us wisdom is one of the most important things we can have. When we shift our focus to desiring Jesus while having the wisdom that times are going to be tough and we are going to go through things, our desires start to be fulfilled. That is the key to a life full of joy and purpose.
This Christmas season let’s shift our focus to desiring the King. When you shift your desire to Him, your Christmas season and life will have so much more purpose.