Christmas Awakenings

~ Lisa Brittain

For this reason, he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.  Hebrews 2:17, NIV

This Christmas may end up being one of my all-time favorites.  It’s been difficult to get here, but I’m beginning to see the Light of my Savior and recognize it really is He who is standing at the finish line.  He is the PRIZE!  Jesus, He is my Treasure!!

I wish it weren’t so, but for me at least it seems hardship causes me to pause and look deeper for truth.  The difficulty of a season creates in me a need to look back and see where I’ve been.  It’s a recalibrating.  Throughout this year, and the last three or maybe I should include the last ten, the temptation to quit has been strong.

So many times I’ve thrown my hands in the air while scrying*, “I can’t do this!  I’m done… it’s all too hard!”  My husband, parents, and sons can all testify to this truth.  They’ve all watched me come completely unglued over the last ten years.  And it’s been the best thing that could have ever happened to me.

Truly, this is the best place for each of us to find ourselves.  It’s a breaking, which needs to take place in each of us individually and in the Church corporately.  We want to appear on the outside like we have it all together.  We’re rock hard solid.  We’re tough.  Pretty, but tough.  And we’re not going to let anyone hurt us.  We won’t even let anyone get close enough to attempt to hurt us.  It’s a perfect plan!Hebrews 2.17

It’s a lie.

The enemy has sold us all a lie and we’ve bought into it – individually and corporately.  It’s a huge scheme of the enemy to keep us isolated.  We’re deceived into thinking we’re doing a good thing for our families by protecting ourselves behind sturdy walls.  But then, we’re frustrated when we feel ineffective.  We all come to a place in our faith walk (or at least we should) where we look around and wonder how we got here.  We’ve been circling the same old territory without realizing we’re not getting anywhere.

This has been the all too effective strategy of the enemy.   The deception of protection has lulled too many of us into thinking we’re being good for God.  However, it is a deception, and it is not obedience to God.

We need a shaking.  We need an awakening.  We need to look up and recognize the rut we’ve dug ourselves into.  We need to be asking the question, “Where’s the abundant life?”

Hard ground is famine ground.  A harvest will only come when the hard ground is broken open, fertilized with the stinky stuff of life, seed sown and watered.

Hard rock is a dam.  The refreshment of cool, clear springs will only come when the rock is broken open.

The blessing of this Christmas is wrapped in the ordinary brown paper and string of lean times.  The glory of the true Christmas story found in the gospels of Luke and Matthew shake me out of pretense.  Having to journey through the real difficult stuff of life to arrive at the manger causes me to reflect on foundational truths learned long ago.

Abundant life is found in an obedient life.  Living obediently to God means going out.  He said, “Go!”  And Jesus came to show us the way.  He’s always been here.  Jesus has never left me.  He is the Pioneer.  He’s been calling me out of the wilderness – the dry barren land He previously and purposefully escorted me into.  Do you see Him with your heart?  Can you hear Him calling your name?brown paper and string

Will you allow Jesus to unwrap your heart this Christmas?  Will you stay still long enough to allow Him to break you free of the trappings and the lies of the enemy?

I pray for you and for me this is the best Christmas ever because it’s the Christmas our eyes are opened to the very best gift of all.  Jesus, He is our Prize.  Jesus is our Treasure! Jesus, Living Water and Bread of Life.  Jesus, Lord of the Harvest.  Savior and soon coming, King!

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.  Revelation 3:20 NIV

 

*combination of screaming and crying

Published by Lisa Brittain

I am an avid follower of Jesus. I have been since my early twenties when I met Him personally and received dramatic healing in my body and mind. After many years of marriage and raising sons into the teen years, I was challenged to explore the duplicity of my spoken faith followed up by fearful actions. I received the challenge presented by both of my sons. They love me and so they dared to confront me with the truth. Chips off my proverbial block! I determined then {more than a decade ago} to overcome fear with faith that was more than words. In my late 40's I made a decision to leave the desert wandering behind and set out to pursue the abundant life Jesus promised His disciples. I am a tentmaker {actually a reupholsterer} by day, which helps to support the call God has on my life to serve Him in my community. I thoroughly enjoy my work. Repairing and restoring throw-away furniture is a fulfilling creative outlet. More so, my Cheer House Repair and Restore business opens the door for me to interact with my community. My passion is to walk so closely to Jesus that others want to know Him too. I love to introduce women to Him as we walk, talk, and work together hand in hand through everyday life. Nothing thrills me more than to watch someone fall so in love with Jesus through His word and conversation; learning to trust His heart and receive His great love! I have been married to my dear man for over 30 rollercoaster years. We're simply thrilled that our latter days are more joyful and purposeful than our first. Together we have two - grown young men on their own journeys. Additionally, we share our home with 3 lively rescue pups. I look forward to having you join me on this journey of faith... Bold feet, humble heart Psalm 131 ~ Lisa