Give it away

The Christmas season brings out the best in people. There's something about the holidays that warms even the chilliest of hearts and makes it easier to give. There are more smiles, more music, more decorations, more laughter, more goodies, more EVERYTHING everywhere we turn. There are giving trees in department stores, donation buckets scattered throughout every community, and goodwill opportunities around every corner. There is no excuse not to give, if you're so inclined.

Earlier this week, I was running errands and heard a song on the radio referring to "Give this Christmas away." Beautiful song by Matthew West. It spoke of giving away the love in your heart and changing someone's life. Giving love instead of gifts. It didn't exactly say that, but that's what I "heard." Wonderful concept! And like I so often do, when something like that strikes a chord in my heart, I write myself a note so I can put more thought into it later.

This morning was 'later.' I looked at my note, "Give it away." And as God so faithfully does, He laid these words upon my heart. Not the words I wrote several days before, but the words I read this morning. Let me explain. Each time a write, I start with a prayer - "God, may the words I write be Your words. May my thoughts be Your thoughts. As I write today, let me be less of me and more of You." My Creator, the God of POSSIBLE, gives this blog life. He breathes life into the words on the page.

And 'give it away' has a very different meaning today.

I have a reoccurring dream; some might call it a vision. It's of me walking towards the cross with a trash bag flung across each shoulder. As I approach the cross, I drop the bags at the foot of the cross and I can tell they were heavy by the THUD as they hit the ground. I'm standing there, winded and bent over, when Jesus steps out and hands me a shield and a sword. I immediately feel the power and strength of His presence. I take the shield and sword and turn to walk away, but I am not walking away alone. My Lord is walking with me. He has given me what I need for battle, but I'm not fighting alone. He is with me... always.

Psalm 55:22 says, "Cast your burden on the Lord—he will support you! God will never let the righteous be shaken!" And 1 Peter 5:7 says, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." I could list dozens of scriptures like this - all referring to giving your burden and your troubles to Jesus. But NOWHERE does it say He will take them from you! You have to GIVE THEM AWAY! You have to take action and hand them to Jesus.

That means somewhere in your heart, you have to come to the conclusion that you don't want to carry that heavy load anymore. Sounds easy, right? Who wants to carry garbage around when there's someone who WANTS to carry it for you?! Just saying that sounds ridiculous! But how many of us do that every day? I do that every day.

I was reminded recently how my past will always be my past. And as much as I walk in the freedom of God's goodness and grace, I also walk the path of a victim and a survivor. All of God's grace and mercy cannot erase memories that have scarred my soul. He can take away the hatred and the pain, but He can't take away the impressions of terror engraved upon my heart. I would be lying if I said He could.

But I think that's why He keeps giving me the same dream, the same vision of the cross. It is my reminder that sometimes I have to take my garbage to Him EVERY DAY. There are times when I have to go to the cross hourly, just to get through a day. And that's okay. In those moments when my past is haunting my thoughts, or I just need to be closer to Him, I grab my garbage and GO. I don't want to sit with Him surrounded by trash, I want to sit with Him clothed in my shield and sword. I want that feeling of freedom. Free from the weight. Free from the burden. Free from the past.

So, as I write during this holiday season, I'm asking you to give yourself a gift. Take out the trash. No matter how heavy it may seem or how long you've been carrying it, let it go. Lay it at the foot of the cross. Give it away. Doesn't it seem silly to keep hauling it around when there's someone who loves you enough to carry it for you? And it's okay if you need to make more than one trip. Trust me, I know. I've worn a path to the cross from the multiple trips - it just makes it easier to find next time.

Merry Christmas! I pray you all find your shield and your sword this blessed Christmas season.

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.