Mothers know about the hard part of Christmas. Someone has to make the holiday happen. There are decorations to display, presents to buy and wrap, cookies to bake, cards to write, meals to make, houses to clean. The joy is not without some sweat.
Like the Christmas chores, there is work required to accomplish God's plan, to prepare for His Second Coming.
I will appoint My two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies... They have power ... to strike the earth with every kind of plague (Revelation 11:3, 5-6).
What is the work to prepare for His Second Coming and who must perform it? Jesus has already accomplished His part and is seated at the right hand of God. The work is for us. It is to testify of His truth, with our words and our lives.
It is like yesterday, when we had our December MomCo meeting. There was decorating, buying and wrapping and baking. There was greeting and teaching and child care. Afterwards there was the un-decorating and the inevitable dish washing. It was a lot of work.
Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. Their bodies will lie in the public square (Revelation 11:7-8).
But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet (Revelation 11:11)
In addition, there was the attach of the enemy when the technology failed and stalled the meeting and threatened to destroy some of the best parts. But we prayed and the Spirit in power resolved the problem.
Each of us used the spiritual gifts given to us by God and it was a great meeting. We went home exhausted but pleased.
I'm sure Christmas in each home will end up the same way. We will work hard, the enemy will attach us, God will intervene with His blessings.
There is work to be done and it will not be easy. It will not be without opposition. But God has given us the power to do it and He will give us joy. He will bring the victory in the perfect time.
This Advent, I have dedicated myself to write these devotionals, day by day. The coming days, as Revelation reveals the battle between good and evil, will not be pleasant, but it is necessary. I want Christmas to be easy but, as an adult, I need to understand nothing good is easy. God empowers me to do the hard things.
Beloved, allow me to embrace the hard work of serving You with joy and peace. You have not asked me to do anything You have not already empowered me to do. If I want to be Your maidservant, and I do, then I must be ready to face opposition and hardship. Let my heart be like Mary's and reply to every opportunity You present to me with her words “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
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