Don’t you think most people enjoy the beauty of lights on the trees and the beautiful decorations? While most like the holiday festivities and decorations, there are some lights people don’t like. For example, some people hate “red lights,” which by the way, can slow you down for an appointment—and at the same time, save your life from a wreck. Even though they are the colors of Christmas–they have a different meaning when the lights are changing colors. Some people really get bothered by stoplights–and actually will tell you they hate them. They force us to come to a complete stop—that is, if we obey the laws of the land. 

Have you ever been driving along behind someone who rolls through a stop sign—and they didn’t do that “rocking motion” technique the driver’s education person taught you? For some reason, I remember that specifically. It can save lives. 

Many people are disturbed at seeing lights turn from green to red—because they don’t like to stop. Being still forces all of us to stop, observe, and listen intently.  I have learned that the time we spend with Jesus is never wasted. It is not lost time…. Making the choice to stop and be still—to listen to God and refocus and reflect, actually gives us leverage in life. 

“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Stillness is a revelation in your own heart of who is actually in control. Stillness is making the choice to listen for and seek God’s direction in daily life. 

When we truly know in our hearts that God is truly God—and that He cares about the most intimate details in our lives, we can rest in knowing that God’s purposes and plans never fail. He knows best how to bring life to what appears dead. He know best how to bring purpose out of what seems to be a plan gone south. 

Instead of running ahead, driving through stoplights, and becoming frustrated with having to “stop,” I encourage you to come to a place where you enjoy the stillness in your heart where you can truly hear the sweet voice of our Father God. It is God’s Holy Spirit who empowers, equips, and who gives us wisdom to do life. 

Greater things come when we learn to be still and listen to God’s direction first, before running through stoplights, warning signs, or totally missing God’s instruction in the first place. If you feel like you are abandoned in some area, go back to God and ask Him to remind you of the last instruction He gave you.

I don’t know about you, but I need God every second of my life. Learn to be still and release your cares and concerns to the Lord—so He can overshadow you with His love and a new strategy for doing life. 

Instead of seeing stoplights as delays—view them differently. Gain God’s perspective by learning to be still in your heart….

HIS love and mine,

Deborah 

BOOKS BY DEBORAH STARCZEWSKI:

GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed and Know Your Purpose) …How to move from drama to destiny

A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days At The Mercy Seat) … the full account of how God raised my husband from early death….that will keep you turning the pages and give you faith to believe God for anything.

THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?)  … a must read!

SHIFT HAPPENS (co-author in the anthology) 

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. 

Trees are trimmed, stockings are hung, and decorations have been strategically placed throughout homes and in the marketplace. It’s the busiest time of the year: more activity, more pressures, more expenses, more red lights, more travel,….and the Church announces Peace on Earth. Next, the days get shorter—and nights longer and dark….and the Church proclaims it the Season of Light.

Really…another year has almost come and gone. It’s that time of year again….the Christmas season. What a whirlwind adventure—living with balance as a believer in Jesus Christ. He is the same God of miracles, signs, and wonders—and He is coming back again!

The Bible says, “Surely I am coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20). Come is the root meaning of the word Advent. We celebrate an event that happened 2,000 years plus ago…and the Church calls our attention to the future—His return. 

While we are in the final four weeks of preparation for Christmas day, some might say it is a strange and contradictory season. It’s a time of sadness for many who have lost loved ones or those who are overcoming illness, or at the end of this life as we know it. It’s a time of excitement for little ones, and older ones too. It’s a time of eager expectation with “tidings of joy” (Luke 2:10). 

Joy is often presented as “true” contentment based on faith—not on our circumstances. 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NIV).

The word “paradox” means “a statement that is seemingly contradictory, yet true.” 

Is it really movement and stillness that brings us closer to God? Effort or repose? What is truth? 

Truth is the whole counsel of God—and could be said to be the tension between paradoxes. Truth is found in the beautifully decorated dining room table that is perfect for all to see—and the same table that is not so pretty after all the guests have finished dining, then had dessert and coffee. It is the same table where family and friends will gather together and either celebrate life, love, and loss—or argue, attack, and accuse. Truth is found when we turn to Jesus. It is truth that Jesus was fully man and fully God. He came as a baby, born of a virgin—and He is coming back again as Lord of lords and King of kings. 

May we reflect on the reason for not just the Christmas season—but for life. His name is Jesus. May we see the meaning of Christmas in the tensions of this holiday season—in the hustle and bustle, with all the noise—to the silent night. From the red and green lights on the trees to the “red lights” that force you to stop in traffic. From the noisy dining room tables to the kitchen and dirty dishes. From the excited kids unwrapping presents to the Holy Presence of God that we get to experience all year long because of relationship and redemption. 

Instead of trying to pick and choose what appeals to you, don’t miss what God is doing all around you—in every situation and in every heart. This Christmas season, learn to listen and speak from your heart. There is always something you don’t know in every situation. 

May the LORD come into every part of your Christmas preparation and move you into divine purpose. 

You are blessed by God…….Deborah Starczewski

BOOKS BY DEBORAH STARCZEWSKI:

GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed and Know Your Purpose)…move from drama to destiny–in your personal life, marriage, and family.

A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days At The Mercy Seat)…. the full account of divine intervention that will keep you turning the pages. Learn how to be led by the Holy Spirit of God.

THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?) … a must read

SHIFT HAPPENS (Co-author)

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.

Never underestimate the small things you do for others—or the compassion and help you extend to someone in need. As I was studying to teach a class, I was reviewing history and came across an amazing story of God’s intervention—that is still a good reminder today. It also reveals the heart of a good leader. 

It was a cold and bitter Virginia evening as an elderly man waited on a path by a river—hoping and longing for someone on a horse to carry him across. His body had grown numb and his beard was glazed with frost before he heard the thunder of horses’ hooves in the distance. 

The story went that the elderly man watched as the first few riders passed, without even making an effort to get anyone’s attention…….till the last rider remained in sight. As this final man drew near, the elderly man caught his eye and asked, “Sir, would you mind giving me a ride to the other side?” 

The rider not only helped the man onto his horse, but decided to take him all the way home which was several miles out of the way. He noticed he was extremely cold and needed help. The horseman asked the elderly man why he didn’t ask any of the other riders to help him. He told the horseman that he had lived for a long time and knew people pretty well—and that as he looked into their eyes and saw they had no concern for his condition, he knew it was useless to ask for help. The elderly man told the horseman that when he looked into his eyes, he saw compassion and kindness.

It was noted at the door of the elderly man’s house….the rider on that horse made a decision—that he would never get too busy in his own affairs that he would fail to respond to the needs of others. With that decision, Thomas Jefferson returned and directed his horse back to the White House.

May we never get too busy with our own affairs that we fail to respond to the needs of others. 

I have heard this saying for many years—don’t know who said it first—but it is still a great reminder for all:

People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care….

“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2).

I thank God that Jesus is coming back again—for His Bride—not just taking us to the other side, but bringing us home to spend eternity with Him. May the Lord bless you this Christmas season. Extend love, sow grace and mercy, and cultivate a heart of compassion like Jesus. 

Pray Psalm 51:7: “Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” 

God bless you.

Deborah Starczewski

BOOKS BY DEBORAH STARCZEWSKI:

A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days At The Mercy Seat)…. a modern day resurrection story—that will keep you turning the pages, and increase your faith to believe God for anything.

THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?)

GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed, And Know Your Purpose)….learn how to move from drama to destiny. 

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.