“All good things must come to an end.” The truth of this statement will ring loud and long in the hearts and minds of children and adults alike over the next few weeks. It isn’t just the truth that is ringing, though. It is the bells calling students back to their classes and adults back to the working world. It is the ringing of alarm clocks, both literal and metaphorical, waking us up from the glories of vacations, celebrations, and the most wonderful time of the year. The party has come to its conclusion.
Today was the day of reckoning for most of our family. While my college aged daughter still has another day or two until she returns to school, my wife, my son, and I all had to rise in the darkness of this winter’s morn to prepare for our return to reality. As is the custom, we delayed the inevitable as long as possible, indulging in more than one pressing of the snooze button. Then, when we could wait no longer, we rose and attempted to reinitiate our daily routines.
It seemed we had pushed through and covered all of our bases right up until we arrived at the high school. As my son exited the vehicle, we realized we had forgotten something. His lunch had been left on the counter. So, I made the trek back to the house, grabbed his lunch, and brought it back to the school for him to collect later. I then drove across the street to my office at the church. I sat down at my desk, opened my back pack to get out my computer and came to the unfortunate realization that a lunch wasn’t all that had been forgotten when we’d left the house. So, once again, I made the trek back to the house to retrieve my computer and headed back to the church to confront whatever other chaos that might ensue.
Whether it is intentional or not, we often make the mistake of forgetting something of vital importance when the celebration stops and the routine of daily life returns.
This is not the first time I’ve lived this particular story, and I’m guessing I’m not the only one who has visited this proverbial zip code. But, I believe our forgetfulness extends beyond our daily routines to our relationship with Jesus. We’ve just come through an amazing season of remembrance and celebration. Throughout November, we spend time celebrating the faithfulness of God and attempt to adopt attitudes of gratitude for all He has done for us. We then transition seamlessly into the Christmas season where we pull out all the stops as we remember the birth of the Savior, the dawn of the Light of Life, and the good news of great joy for all people. Just days after Christmas we celebrate the coming of a new year. We reflect on what lay behind and dream about what is to come. Then, when it’s all come to an end, we pack all of our decorations into boxes and get back to the grind of the real world.
I often wonder if we don’t make the mistake of leaving behind more than just the decorations, delicious foods, and fun gatherings as we exit the holiday season. Whether it is intentional or not, we often make the mistake of forgetting something of vital importance when the celebration stops and the routine of daily life returns. We forget that the light of life isn’t just meant to shine one month a year, but every day of our lives. We forget that gratitude isn’t a seasonal attitude, but a state of being. We forget that every day is a new opportunity to do and be all that God has for us. We forget Jesus.
All good things must come to an end, but there are many more good things to come when we remember to keep the best thing, Jesus, at the center of our lives.
As we return to our regularly scheduled programing, I encourage you to remember to invite Jesus to join you on the journey. Make time with Him part of your daily routine. Make prayer a regular feature of your pattern of living. All good things must come to an end, but there are many more good things to come when we remember to keep the best thing, Jesus, at the center of our lives. Remember to bring Jesus with you as you head out into the world today.
