Tuesday 18 December 2012

Because you're worth it

It's that time of year again. Warmly, reassuringly, comfortingly familiar. With mystery at its heart to make it extra special.

We buy the presents. We buy into the pressure to spend, spend, spend.

We buy what we think others will like, need, deserve maybe.

Packaged, beribboned, sparkly, glittering, tantalising,  tempting in their shiny splendour.

Such adornments can either mask the meagre offering within or suggest its inestimable worth.
With sweat of furrowed brow, thrust of elbow, throbbing of feet, jangling of nerves, jingling of coins, ringing of tills and emptying of wallets, we make our offering and sacrifice at the altar of Consumerism.



We assign worth and value to the things we purchase:consumables that can so easily consume us, our hearts, energy and time - because we are worth it - and so are the people we buy for: our loved ones, family and friends.

As gift-giving is one of my love languages it helps me to express how I care for those I buy for. That careful selection (Wish Lists and online shopping are such a boon) so often gives way to hastily thrown together parcels as I find myself drained, exhausted, depleted and dazed in an M.E - blurred and fogged race against the clock to get it all completed before The Day itself.

Each year I vow to change:

  • To pace myself better
  • To stop the panic.
  • To buy less.
  • To give more to charity.
  • To cease from being sucked in by consumerism.

To stop. Be still. Reflect on The One who is worthy of my time, limited energy and attention. To make a priority to focus more on The Gift Himself rather than the gifts to purchase.

How do I make space for Jesus when my days are filled with concern about how much there is to do and how little time I have to try to do it all in? It can be a struggle.

So much of what we celebrate is tainted by worldliness, a perennial keeping up with and out-smarting of  the Joneses, while we demonstrate how multi-skilled, talented and capable we are at meeting the multiplicity of demands upon our lives - frantically juggling those numerous balls in the air (with a fixed smile on our faces) for all we are worth.

So much of our lives is dominated by the need to belong, fit in, be a part of what is current and trendy

The desire to fill our need for self-worth with Things can leave a gaping hole - an empty space of dissatisfaction, disillusionment, discouragement and despair once the lure of the new has waned.




We are worth more than that and we were created for so much more.

'Space'




The holes in our existence
speak of
S-P-A-C-E
writ larger than we: 
Success
Popularity
Acclaim
Celebrity
Ego.
Things we chase
and grasp
so fleetingly
when a vaster Universe
lies within our reach:
Serenity
Peace
Acceptance
Change
Eternity.
In clutching
at straws
we lose
not only Life
but our very
souls
©JoyLenton2012

Our worthiness lies in recognising our need of change, then taking the first step of faith to being in relationship with God, The One who is worthy of the surrender of our hopes, dreams, expectations and lives into His hands.

"When the music fades, 
all is stripped away 
and I simply come; 
longing just to bring 
something that's of worth, 
that will bless Your heart."...

©MattRedman1994 - You can click on the link to hear the full song

The word "worship" literally means "worthiness" or "worth-ship". Simply put, worship is to ascribe worth to something or someone.


Let's try to remember in the rush and crush of Christmas - The Light of lights, King of kings, Lord of lords, Prince of peace, Word made flesh, Who deserves our every breath, prayer, praise and worship.


Chorus:

"I'm coming back to the heart of worship,
and it's all about You,
all about You, Jesus.
I'm sorry, Lord,
for the thing I've made it,
when it's all about You,
all about You, Jesus"

The heart of worship is to bow our hearts before God in wonder, adoration and surrender to all that He is and all that He has done for us in Jesus Christ.

Points to ponder:

The challenge before us this Christmas remains:


Who or what are we worshipping?

What gifts can you offer to God?

I'm linking up here with Tanya Marlow's Advent Thoughts - do check it out

13 comments:

  1. oh, yes. i am so familiar with that fixed smile on my face as i juggle. (loved that image) and to give worth/worship to the One who is greater. who is not a consumer or consumerism -- but who is a Consuming Fire. yes.
    thank you for these words. stopped in from Thorns and Gold. :)

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    1. Hi Kelli, so pleased this resonated with you. Our God is a Consuming fire indeed and we need to keep that in mind in our dealings with Him. Worship requires reverence and awe in the light of His holiness too. Thank you for your lovely comment. :)

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  2. That paragpraph about the altar of consumerism was so powerful. It really made me stop and reevaluate - why do I do this again? I like to give gifts, like you, but it can too easily become an all-consuming measure of relaitonships instead of being joy-filled. Thanks so much for this, and for linking up!

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    Replies
    1. You and me both, Tanya! The pleasure of buying and giving gifts is overshadowed to some extent by the sheer weariness it induces and the questioning it provokes about motivation. It's been a pleasure and privilege to link up with you on Advent Thoughts. :)

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  3. Interesting post Joy. This year as money is so tight, I felt I simply couldn't buy gifts this year. I have felt guilty and peaceful about it in equal measure at different times. Would those who love me still love me despite my opting out of present buying this year. So far I don't appear to have alienated anyone in particular! I also feel peaceful that I am having to look at the real meaning of Christmas more.

    Merry Christmas!

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    Replies
    1. What you describe here, Lynda, is a problem many are facing. It is particularly hard to give up buying gifts when that is one of the main avenues through which we express our love for others. Yet, as you say, there can be a beautiful simplicity and freedom in concentrating our time and energy on the heart of worship instead.
      Also, those who love us will continue to do so - gift or no gift - as they understand our circumstances and care more about who we are than what we can give. Be blessed this Christmas as you focus on the great Gift and Giver of every good gifts Himself. He has so much more in store for us than we can ever imagine. :) xx

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  4. Thank you for this precious blog!

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    Replies
    1. That's very kind of you, Jedidja. You are precious too for stopping by to read it and leave a lovely comment! Thanks very much. May God bless you richly with a greater sense of His presence this Christmas. :)xx

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  5. Lovely post, Joy, reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas.

    Am pleased to have discovered your blog - thanks to a tweet by fellow Felistowe resident Giles M :) Cheers and wishing you a lovely holiday.

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    1. Hi Carolyn. A very warm welcome to my blog. It's lovely of you to visit and leave a sweet comment. Looks like I owe Giles a favour here! Blessings to you too as you celebrate Christmas. :) xx

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  6. Hi Joy, What a powerful, well-written reflective post. (Just returning to the blogosphere after a fortnight off commenting). We minimize "external" celebrations of Christmas (gifts, special foods, decorations, etc) partly because none of it particularly interests us, and so just rest, relax and unwind at Christmas without pressure to conform to the contemporary culture. Your post reinforces our practice.
    All the best for the New Year, and every blessing!!
    Anita

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    1. Welcome, Anita. It is kind of you to leave a lovely comment. I am pleased this post reflects your practice and hope to emulate that myself next time! It is all too easy to get sucked into the cultural expectations without pausing to consider their relevance to us as individuals. Every blessing for the New Year to you and your family! :)

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  7. What a lovely comment! Really appreciate your kind words, Esteik. Bless you for this encouragement. :)

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