Are You Enjoying Your Life?

 

By Andrea Merrell

 

This day belongs to the Lord! Let's celebrate and be glad today.

Psalm 118:24 CEV

 

I stared at my calendar. The first week of January and my calendar was already filling up. How could I possibly have that much on my plate already?

I had been asking that question for months. As each one passed, the promise of a lighter schedule kept me going.

But it never happened.

At my age, most people are fully retired. Taking it easy. Traveling, Enjoying a slow, uncluttered life. But not me. Along with working part-time (at least I get to work at home) and so many other things that scream for my attention, my calendar keeps filling up almost faster than I can keep up.

A friend commented to me recently that most people my age didn’t have such a busy schedule. Thinking back on our conversation, I wondered how it would be to have that slow, uncluttered life. No agenda. Nothing pressing. No deadlines.

Then I realized how thankful I am for a full life. A busy life filled with purpose and fulfillment. I’m learning to be grateful for my busy schedule and how to navigate it by taking one day at a time. The Bible says, “This day (today) belongs to the Lord.” Our response is to celebrate and be glad in it—no matter what’s on our plate.

Each day is a gift to be enjoyed, not filled with dread or regret. The Bible tells us to trust in the living God who “gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17 NKJV). The choice is ours.

For the record, I might be at the age where it’s okay to sit down and kick back, but I choose to be thankful for the busy life the Lord has given me and enjoy it to the fullest.

How about you?

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and tuelekza.

The Sound of Silence

 

By Andrea Merrell

Be still and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10 NKJV

I awoke to complete silence. A strange hush had covered the earth. No traffic. No birdsong. No barking dogs. No … nothing.

When I peeked out the window, I could hardly believe my eyes. I could not see the road in front of our house or the tires on our cars sitting in the driveway. The trees were completely blanketed in white.

I urged my husband to get dressed so we could go outside and explore before our kids woke up. Stepping out into that winter wonderland was like stepping into a fairy tale. Again, I was struck by the silence.

This happened over thirty years ago but remains fresh in my memories.

For those of you who live in the North, this is probably a commonplace occurrence but not for those of us in the South. We might occasionally get a few flurries, but this particular year, we got over fifteen inches. It took us three days to dig out of our driveway.

I’m sure that for those of you who are used to this scenario, life goes on as usual. Most northern states are well prepared for winter weather. But in my part of the South, the world shuts down. No school. No work. No errands. No social activities. Most people clean out the milk and bread aisles of the grocery store with even a tiny hint of snow. And while many love throwing snowballs, making snowmen, and sledding down hills, there are those of us who are content to stay inside by the fire and watch.

The sound of silence. Strange and uncommon to many, yet how often do we shut off the world and listen for that still, small voice? The voice of the One who loves us and died to give us eternal life and reconnect us with the Father. The One who longs to speak to us. To guide and direct us, making us aware of His peaceful presence.

Last week, we had snow. Only three or four inches as opposed to fifteen, but still amazing and beautiful. It reminded me once again that we occasionally need to stop, shut out the world, and listen for His voice. To enjoy His presence. To be thankful for every blessing He pours out.

Our Father says to us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Are you ready? Offer to Him the sound of silence, then be ready to hear Him speak.

 

Pursue Peace

 

By Andrea Merrell

Let us pursue the things which make for peace

and the things by which one may edify another.

Romans 14:19 NKJV

Can you believe it’s already 2025? As we enter into this new year, what are your goals? Maybe you’re busy making a list of resolutions because you know that’s what we’re supposed to do.

Many dream of a new car, bigger house, better job, or more money, while others are determined to go to the gym, lose weight, spend more time with family, or clean out those long-forgotten boxes in the basement.

Whatever you’re seeking after, The Word for You Today says:

No position or possession is worthwhile if you don’t have peace. Money, status, popularity—it’s all meaningless if you lack peace. Many of us spend our lives trying to climb the ladder of success, but every time we go up one more rung, we lose more of our peace and joy, not to mention time spent with family.

In reality, true success only comes when we have peace—the peace that passes understanding and only comes from God Himself. His kingdom does not consist of things money can buy or anything a certain status can secure. Rather, it is “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17 NKJV).

The Bible tells us to pursue peace. To let it govern our thoughts and direct our lives. Colossians 3:15 in the Amplified Bible puts it like this:

And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. 

Whatever your plans and desires for this year, make it a priority to pursue peace.

 

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and arcadante.

 

A New Year’s Prayer from Words That Matter

 

By Andrea Merrell

 

God … gives us richly all things to enjoy.

1 Timothy 6:17 NKJV

How quickly these last twelve months have passed. I’m sure you’ll all agree. Here we are on the brink of 2025, ready to welcome a brand new year filled with possibilities. Instead of making a list of resolutions that fly south by the middle of February, let’s enter 2025 with a prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for every blessing you poured out on me in 2024, both great and small. I thank you for every hardship and obstacle I faced because it has made me stronger and drawn me closer to you. As I step into 2025, may I do so with faith, trust, and hope, believing that this will be a victorious year as I walk hand in hand with you. Your Word says that you have given us “richly all things to enjoy.” May I enjoy every moment, never taking my life for granted or forgetting to thank you and praise you with every breath I take. You have blessed me to be a blessing. I commit myself and this upcoming year to you and ask that you use me in whatever way you see fit to encourage others and point them to you.

In your holy, precious name, amen.

 

Happy New Year, everyone. Thank you for being part of the Words That Matter family.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com and Ben White.

Open Your Gifts

 

By Andrea Merrell

His divine power has given to us all things that pertain 

to life and godliness.

2 Peter 1:3 NKJV

 

Imagine, if you will, a beautifully decorated Christmas tree surrounded by gifts of all sizes and shapes, yet no one bothers to open them. People admire them, talk about them, maybe even have a hint as to what’s inside. But no one takes the time to unwrap them.

Why would anyone ignore or refuse to accept such extravagant gifts?

Maybe our heavenly Father asks the same question: Why do you refuse to accept my gifts?

The Bible tells us that God has “given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness." That means everything we could possibly need—and then some—to live a godly life pleasing to Him has been made available to us through His divine power.

James tells us that “every good and perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights (1:17 NKJV). What gifts? Salvation. Peace. Joy. Love. Strength. And wisdom … just to name a few. Jesus paid the price for each of these and so much more, yet we sometimes neglect to open these precious gifts and put them to use.

This Christmas, leave no gift unopened. Rejoice in the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus, but don’t forget His death, resurrection, and all He gave us through that ultimate sacrifice.

Go ahead. Open your gifts. They’re always available, not just at Christmas, but all year long.

Photo by Mike Cox on Unsplash