Image by __Olga__ via Flickrdol·drums noun pl
1) a spell of listlessness or despondency
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doldrums
It never fails. The whirlwind of the Christmas season and the joyful celebration of the birth of Christ seem to be cut off abruptly, leaving festive spirits and pretty poinsettas drooping by mid-day on December 26th. We grudgingly consider the undressing of the Christmas tree - sometimes it happens, and sometimes the tree stays up until February when all the needles fall off in a final abandon. We drag out the storage boxes and gently tuck each heirloom ornament into its particular nook and/or cranny. And we sigh. After the denouement of Christmas Day, everything seems so anti-climactic. We are stuck in the post-Christmas doldrums with nary a breeze of intrigue in sight.
Is this really the end? Are we supposed to sit here in holiday limbo until the next over-commercialized celebration, Valentine's Day, which - at least here in the States - has little religious or faith based connections and serves only as another ridiculous gift giving frenzy? Ugh! Should we just accept the world's view that Jesus' birthday is just a 24 hour gig that closes the curtain at midnight? How about NO.
Dear friends, the party does not have to end today. It shouldn't end today. And it CAN'T end until the Second Coming which, though it could occur in the next ten minutes, may not happen while you or I are still breathing. Jesus, our Lord and Savior, our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), did not come down to Earth to light the world for 24 hours...He came to light the world for the rest of existence. And since He uses each of us believers to reflect that light daily, our part in His triumph has not ended.
So how do we press on for Glory when the wind seems to have died? It's simple; we ride the momentum created by the Holy Spirit who works within us. We pray, we observe/listen to the answers, and we act. We start each day with open hearts and the offering of our every breath to the purpose that God has set out for us. And we do so joyfully. You know that giddiness that occurs in the weeks building up to Christmas morning? For me, it comes when I'm choosing gifts that will bring the most joy and feelings of being loved to the recipients. That giddiness can be carried on as we allow Christ to use us daily to bring his blessings to the world.
On a practical note, I do have to mention that there may be obstacles (or at least perceived ones) to prolonging a festive heart. The devil isn't going to sit idly by while you Glorify the Lord with obedience to His will. No, instead he will creep into your thoughts through whatever chinks you've left unmended in your armor (and THAT is a topic for a later blog post). If you are plagued with social anxiety, the evil one will speak fear into you as you contemplate volunteering as a way to serve. If you are prideful or miserly, the devil will use your self-image or your monetary dependence to block your joy. So before you do anything, stop and ask the Lord to show you anything in your heart or mind that might stand between you and His purpose. Be very open to and welcoming of anything He illuminates - do not let pride or fear keep you from hearing His voice. God is not going to reveal things to be mean or attack you. God WILL reveal anything amiss or evil within you in order for you to purge it, through His power and strength, so that you can be whole and in right relationship as you face the world. And then ask God to give you the wisdom and discernment to filter out the devil's nonsense. The voice of our shepherd is distinctive; if you are willing to listen, He will not lead you astray. He will lead you where He knows you need to be, even if it's the LAST place you would ordinarily volunteer to go. Trust Him. Go.
Even as I write this, I feel the breeze blowing in my heart. It's hard to stay in the doldrums when you know you have places to be and God-ordered things to do. And since the breeze is blowing, I think it's time for me to pick up my Cross, open up the sails, and head off to wherever the Spirit takes me. So long anti-climactic droopiness...I'm off to rejoice in the service of my King! (And I'm going to be humming "Feliz Navidad" the WHOLE way! That one always gets stuck in my head...)
Dear Lord, please show us Your desires for our lives. We give each breath, each moment, in complete surrender to Your will and purpose for them. Please help us to see through the perceived obstacles and overcome the real ones so that we will not hesitate to move when you utter the word "Go." Command us, Lord, so that we might serve You. Let no fear, doubt, date, or secular season come between us and Your desires. Dispatch us, Lord, to do Your bidding. We ask all this so that we might serve Your Son through the power of your Spirit and bring all honor and glory to the Father. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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