The Christmas season is waning – and so with it is the “warm fuzzy feeling” that men have in their hearts for one another. Gifts have been exchanged – and returned. Workers prepare to return to their jobs, from which they’ve had a few days respite. And everyone readies themselves to get back to their hum-drum rat-race they call a life and wait for the next holiday that will get them off work for a day or two. But as we slip back into what we call normalcy, let us remember that Christmas doesn’t have to die down in our souls. We can continue to let the love of God and the peace that He gives live in our hearts all throughout the year. Keep the fires of Christmas burning in our lives as we continue to touch all those around us.
“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth,” the worldly wise preacher tells us. For some of us, youth has long since gone. For others, we are smack dab in the middle of youth. And for yet others, even youth is just beginning. Whether you consider yourself young or old, remember your Creator in all you do. There are several ways that you can remember your Creator.
First, if you haven’t done so, surrender your heart to Him. God loves you and wants you to accept His free gift of salvation. God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet 3:9).” “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom 6:23).” “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:17).” Accepting His free gift will bring salvation to your longing soul.
Next, surrender your life to Him. The Apostle Paul tells each of us in Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” If you'll give Him your body as well as your soul, then He can use you to do His Will and glorify Him with your life.
Then, surrender your will to Him. Paul continues in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” If you’ll give Him your mind, then He can mold your will into that which He can use to please Him in all things.
Last, surrender your all to Him. Romans 6:13 says, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” If you’ll follow the instruction in this verse, you’ll refuse to give yourself to sin – you’ll give your whole self unto God – and you’ll give your entire being to be used of God.
What is a yielded life? 'Tis one at God's command,
For him to mould, to form, to use
Or do with it as he may choose
Resistless in his hand.
What is a yielded life? A life whose only will
When into blest subjection brought
In every deed and aim and thought
Seeks just to do his will.
What is a yielded life? A life which love has won,
And in surrender, full, complete,
Lays all with gladness at the feet
Of God's most holy Son.
-- W. A. G.
For him to mould, to form, to use
Or do with it as he may choose
Resistless in his hand.
What is a yielded life? A life whose only will
When into blest subjection brought
In every deed and aim and thought
Seeks just to do his will.
What is a yielded life? A life which love has won,
And in surrender, full, complete,
Lays all with gladness at the feet
Of God's most holy Son.
-- W. A. G.
