“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22
I think of all the Nutcracker performances going on this Christmas season…all the snowflakes, sugar plum fairies, and mice preparing for their performances. Something I love about watching a performance is when I see a dancer truly sinking into her character. Whether she’s the snow queen or a gingerbread…she transforms into her character…she is her character.
When a dancer really sinks into her character…lives her character onstage…her character comes alive onstage.
My favorite performances have been the ones where I have gotten so lost in being my character that no nerves could take over…no fears could slip in…just the joy of dancing takes over. I discovered this beautiful mystery of dancing a character…really sinking into a character…for the first time when I was a tiny dancer in a ballet called Graduation Ball…I think I was only nine or ten years old. I REALLY thought I was IN the story…I had so much fun on stage dancing at this ball with my friends onstage…I don’t remember trying to “perform” or “project” or dance well…I was just enjoying living that character I was playing of a little girl at a ball…and it delighted my heart.
Christmas unwraps the story of our Savior, as well as the story of His love for us…for each of us. And this Christmas, He wants us to fully sink into HIS character. When we really grasp who He is and how He feels towards us…it will delight our hearts…there’s nothing like it.
Today, I want you to hear some things…to know some things…to soak in some things…
God is GOOD, FAITHFUL, GENTLE, POWERFUL, SOVEREIGN, ALL-KNOWING, KIND, PATIENT, SWEET, PERSONAL, PRESENT…and those are just the first things that come to mind.
What is God like to you?
God LOVES YOU, DELIGHTS OVER YOU, CARES ABOUT EVERY DETAIL OF YOUR LIFE, PURSUES YOU, ROMANCES YOU, WATCHES OVER YOU, STAYS WITH YOU…
What have you believed about how God feels about you?
Today, I want to encourage you to sink into His character. Take it in. Think on Him. Because when you do…when you see Him with faith-filled eyes and with wonder…when you really see how powerful and all-knowing He is and yet how personal He is…it will delight your heart. And this too…
when we sink into His character, understanding more of who He is and how He feels about us…
He transforms our character.
When we sink into Him, the fruits of the Holy Spirit will come bubbling up in us. How sweet a thought! How amazing is He!
Prayer: “Dear Lord, here is what I have believed about you…here is how I have thought You have felt about me….Help me see who You really are. Help me see how You really feel about me. Thank You for Your love, Your grace, and Your care for me. Help me unwrap the gift of YOU this Christmas by really taking time to understand Your character. And Lord, transform my heart to reflect Your character.”
Leave a Reply