That Sinking Feeling
We are a full 7 days into the new year. How are you doing on those resolutions? How are you feeling overall? Sometimes there is a great high that comes with the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of the new year: we get excited about all the new things we got at Christmas and all the new things we want to do in the next year, but there can also be great lows that come at the same time. Christmas is over, the holiday break is done, it’s back to work—a new year brings the reality of everything you’ve got to get done this year.
“Christians should live in the world, but not be filled with it. A ship lives in the water; but if the water gets into the ship, she goes to the bottom. So Christians may live in the world; but if the world gets into them, they sink.” —Dwight L. Moody
One of the things that can cause this sinking feeling after Christmas and into the new year is all of the worldly possessions we acquired over the holiday. Opening presents is great and getting things you want is nice but if we’re not careful the weight of our worldly possessions can sink us like a ship taking on water. We can fall into a vicious trap of always wanting to buy more things or post more pictures of ourselves and our stuff in the new year. In the midst of all the presents and new goals and new things in the new year, keep your thoughts on the things of heaven; don’t sink under the weight of your worldly possessions.
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
“The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” (John 15:19)
“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.” (1 John 2:15)
“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” (Colossians 3:2)
In this particular season of new things—new possessions, new goals, new year—don’t let the things of this world drag you down. Like a ship that lives in the water but stays above it, live in this world but don’t let the world get into you, lest you sink to the bottom.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
