The Season of –ING

Recently, our Sunday school teacher in Irvine said of Christmas, "It's the season of –ING." Immediately, I thought, "YES!"

ShoppING
CookING
BakING
PlannING
WrappING
InvitING
OrderING
CleanING
TravelING
DonatING
HostING
SocializING

Whew! An exhausting list of verbs, that is. I'm ready for a nap just thinking about my unfinished Christmas to-do list. Are you?

Then, the teacher said something I didn't expect. He said,

"This year, I'm not going to let things that mean nothING keep me from experiencING the one thING that means everythING."

Ah, the season of –ING...

Me too. I don't want to let shopping, cooking, wrapping, traveling, and socializing distract me to the point that I miss out on experiencing the "one thing needful." Remember where that phrase comes from? The story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10.

Martha would've been great at Christmas. She probably prepared Pinterest-ready table settings with moist meats, fragrant breads, and drool-worthy desserts. Decorations just so. The entire house spick and span. There is merit in this, for sure, but Jesus puts it quickly in perspective when the pressure of planning a picture-perfect gathering becomes too much for Martha.

"One thing is needful," Jesus said in verse 42. And I believe He still says it over and over to us, especially at this time of year.

"Michelle, Michelle," He whispers, "It's fine to carefully select gifts, but have you carefully read My word today?"

"Michelle, Michelle, you're taking time off work to travel to see family, but have you taken time to really pray to Me lately?"

Decking the halls and baking up a storm are all well and good at Christmastime. But they aren't needful. This year, I don't want to forfeit the one thing I do need so that I can have time to do a bunch of things that don't really matter in the end.

I want my season of –ING to be about

Worshipping
Remembering
Thanking
Studying
Praying
Learning
Listening
Forgiving

And most of all...

Loving

What –ING is most needful for you this time of year?

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.