Good morning, Leaders! It’s Friday!

The holiday season is upon us and if we look beyond the wild buzz of retailers, the disruption of the weather that brings us snow and cold as reasons to stay inside and even beyond the charming behavior of our children, nieces & nephews, grandchildren or other youngsters grabbing our attention at the annual Christmas program…we should not forget the reason for the season.

Isaiah 9:6a For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.

This is a big ol’ birthday bash for the answer-with an after party we can only dream of.

The older I get, the louder the question that nags at me in the dark annals of my subconscious…
What is all of this about?
Why am I here?
What purpose do I serve?
What happens when I am unable to connect my ambition with a purpose like I have previously as a son, husband, father, grandfather, employee, manager, leader, and mentor.

It’s the same answer.

Christ

John 3:16 For God so loved the world (that’s you and me, kids) that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him shall have everlasting life.

This is a broken world we were born into that carries with it sin, pain, death, destruction, and evil. We busily work to rationalize our existence, to minimize pain by pretending it isn’t all around us, insulate our sin with material items, lull ourselves into a false sense of security that we can somehow cheat death.

God designed each and every one of us with strengths, weaknesses, purpose and mortality. He doesn’t make mistakes. He knows everything you have done, are doing and will do…everything.

Jesus’ purpose was to become the way, the truth and the light. Through God’s ultimate sacrifice, he came and conquered sin, death and the devil. Our purpose, while on earth, includes celebrating his birthday like many of us are about to do but it goes beyond that.
Challenge: What if you woke every morning like it was Christmas morning and with child-like enthusiasm, you bound out of bed and instead of looking under a tree, you read a chapter or two from the greatest story about the greatest gift and carried that gift throughout your day with inner peace and joy, sharing it with those who need to hear it most.

Have a blessed weekend and Christmas holiday! May it be filled with laughter and the Fruits of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

Note to my faithful readers: I have elected to put down the “drumsticks” for a week or two. The cadence will continue in the New Year.