When I hear the Christmas Song or most commonly known as Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire is one we've all herd over the years I'm sure. When I hear this song it gives me a sense and picture a time with family and friends just taking time and spending Christmas.
Isaiah 57 mostly from 14 and on says God forgives those that repented. Sometimes the Christmas season can help warm those that maybe abit cranky to bring them together.
15 The high and lofty one who lives in eternity,
the Holy One, says this:
“I live in the high and holy place
with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.
I restore the crushed spirit of the humble
and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping at your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.
If there’s one song that has the “Christmas Spirit” it’s this one. It makes us think of a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting. Or maybe we imagine carolers coming to our doors while we offer them some tasty, mulled apple cider fresh off the stove. We attend parties at friends’ houses and services at church. Let’s not forget about being all bundled up on Christmas morning with our families while the most beautiful snowflakes fall to the ground.
And then in the midst of our Christmas illusions, our children storm into the room yelling “Mom!” or “Dad!” because someone hit them, or because one of them use the other’s pellet gun without asking, or because one of the neighbors took their basketball away, or because they fell off the zip line. Oh, for the love of all that is good and right in the world, can we not stay in our little piece of Christmas paradise just a tad bit longer?
That’s life, isn’t it? No matter how perfect we try to paint the canvas of our lives, there will always be something extra put on it that wasn’t in our minds when we dreamed it. Something that cramps our perfect picture. Something that breaks our heart.
A relationship that ended.
A loved one who died prematurely.
The betrayal of a friend.
Did you know that God isn’t surprised by the interruptions in our lives? In fact, nothing surprises Him. Don’t mistake bad things happening in your life as His loss of control. No, this is not about His ability but about His sovereignty.
While we may wish that bad things would never happen in our lives, they will happen. Jesus said we’d have trouble (John 16:33), but He also promised that He’d calm us in the midst of it (John 14:16). So, no matter where we are in life, whether we expected to be on the path we are on or not, rest assured, that our God can make broken things beautiful.
Friend, we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who’ve been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Press on and trust in the One who will never let you down.
Questions:
How have you seen God in control in the midst of life’s interruptions?
My Answer:
Theres times I don't know, but theres times that I do know, theres times where I don't know why somethings happen the way they do, but I do realise everything happens for a reason. I find I have a hard time with trusting. I need to try trusting God abit more.
Q: How have you seen God in control in the midst of life’s interruptions?
A: Often times we define "control" by thinking that everything has to be working easy and in our favor. If everything goes well, then we feel that God is in control. The hard part is really trusting (like you said) when things are not in control. I know in my head that God is always in control – because He made everything, but it's hard to really feel it in your heart always. Especially when family betrays you, slanders and turns their back on you. Still, somehow, God is in control. I pray that God will show me (and others) that He is in control.