Three Ways to Live by the Spirit at Christmas
We often power through the holidays versus truly experiencing them. There is so much extra that goes on in December between parties, gifts, traditions, additional activities at church and kid activities. I have a particularly challenging combination on my hands. I love traditions, and I also like crafty things. I have to be really careful how much I commit to around the holidays. Even if I can handle it, I can sometimes drive my family crazy!
As we navigate the hectic holiday season, we may be touched or moved by the special characteristics of the season. However, are we truly living by the Spirit when things get busy?
If we are seeking to live like Christ, powering through on our own strength is a recipe for disaster. We will fail every time. We were never intended to do this life on our own. We were created for loving dependence on him. Let’s explore what that looks like in the context of the holiday season.
Acknowledge Him
One of my favorite Scriptures is Proverbs 3:4-5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (ESV).
This admonishment has such a way of grounding us in what is important. How do we acknowledge God in all our ways? It begins with making time for him. Are we meditating on his Word? Are we creating space for him to speak to us? Or are these the first things to go in the midst of the busyness the holidays can bring?
It is so critical to regularly submit our calendars to God. Just like we might submit our bank statements to him to ensure our finances are aligned with his will, what do our calendars say about what is important to us? Are our priorities aligned with his will? Are we making space to acknowledge God and to love his people?
If I can’t say yes to these questions, I start looking at my commitments and praying about where I need to say no.
Seek Him in the Moment
Another way we live by the Spirit is to seek him in the moment. We may take time to commune with God or read his word in the morning before we start our day. But I know I often just charge off to tackle my day on my own with little thought to his guidance throughout the day.
It takes practice and discipline to seek him regularly throughout the day. Sometimes I even use Alexa or my Google calendar to remind me! Leave yourself sticky notes or whatever works for you. Whatever you do, know that the Spirit wants to guide us through every moment of every day. He can’t do that if we never tune our ears toward him to give him the chance.
I have worked at the same global accounting firm for over nineteen years now. It’s a professional environment, but I also have many friends all over the country who are also my coworkers. By relying on the Spirit even in the middle of my work day, I have had countless opportunities to pray for coworkers, provide encouragement when it’s needed, and extend grace when mistakes are made. I’m certain I have missed many opportunities also, but I do my best to make room for the Spirit in my day.
Find Him through Community
Finally, we can follow the Spirit’s leading through discipleship in community with other believers. I feel so strongly about true Christian community. Community is not just having dinner with other Christians once a week. It’s inviting them into your heart and life so that they know you well enough to speak into your specific situations.
True Christian community is scary and requires vulnerability. The vulnerability can be exploited and can hurt. I would encourage you, though: take the risk! When you find a community that is truly seeking to be like Jesus, it is a beautiful thing and is worth the pain of seeking it out.
I have several in our community at church who will speak truth into my life and lead me toward the Spirit. They will sit across from me at lunch or at coffee and listen as I share my heart, and they will challenge me toward Jesus. This should be a main goal of every body of believers looking to follow Christ.
This holiday season, living by the Spirit is my primary goal. As I consider where I will spend my time, I will strive to seek the Spirit before every decision. Does the event or act further the kingdom of God? Even if it does, is the Spirit leading me toward it, or could my no serve to open the door for someone else he may be leading? Have I created space to listen to him in my day? These are the questions I ask myself as I seek to live by the Spirit over the holidays and throughout the year. I hope you’ll join in me in relying more on him.
is a Jesus follower, wife, mom of three, church planter, finance director, and lover of sarcasm and deep conversation with friends. She also loves camping, rafting, skiing, sewing, and having people over. Amy blogs with her husband at fringechurch.com.
Photograph © Nathan Dumlao, used with permission
