26 Dec Spiritually Depleted or Prepared to Invite?

The capacity to invite is an essential part of our makeup as Ezers.  We can’t move into a nurturing or partnering relationship with someone we don’t invite into our lives.

Perhaps there is no more difficult a time to actually be inviting than during the holidays.  This season is ironically full of celebrations, gift-giving, and family time; how often do we become so self-involved in getting all of these things done that we aren’t actually focusing on anyone other than ourselves and our busy agenda?  The holiday season can be such a fun time, yet it can also be very stressful because of the chaos often associated with it.  A season that should remind us of Christ the King and draw us closer to Him often leaves us feeling spiritually depleted.

We first have to invite the Holy Spirit into our lives.  Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all of these things will be given to you.”  We need to fill ourselves with His spirit and presence so that we can go forth to love and minister to others in the busyness of the season.

What are some ways that you can invite others in during this holiday season?  Are you guilty of excluding others as you get wrapped up in the holiday chaos?  Are you being inviting to your children right now?  How about your extended family as you try to make plans for the holiday get-together?   Is there someone around you who may be especially lonely that you can invite into your busy schedule?