The Christmas decorations came down over two weeks ago and now it’s the end January. Where has the time gone? It was like I blinked and 24 days are gone. How did we all end up back on this rat race? At least, this is how I feel. Can I get an amen?

Being on a rat race might have different meanings for different people. There is the competing with someone to get the prize first, the idea of being stress, doing the same thing over and over again, or being dissatisfied with life. According to Wikipedia, a rat race is an endless, self-defeating, or pointless pursuit.

Pointless is a pretty hopeless word to me and seems a bit extreme. Pointless holds no meaning and doesn’t trigger overly happy words. My subconscious doesn’t think of my life as pointless, so I have not really considered this definition before. But, sometimes I have feelings of hopelessness. Hmmm…

Typically, when I think of a rat race, I think of things going so quickly that I don’t take the time to stop and enjoy the moment. I am going through the motions at that point. When I think about just going through the motions, it does seem pretty pointless. I mean, if I’m not going to take the time to feel and participate in life, what’s the point? Life turns into a pointless pursuit.

During the Advent season, I purposefully try to slow down and focus on the Christmas season, focus on Who the season is about, and focus on family and friends. Yet, in January, it seems to go back to normal and the “better hold on, here we go again” rush of life begins again. I guess this is why each year I want to hold on to the Christmas decorations a little longer. It seems as though if they are still up it is a visual and constant reminder to slow down.

I’m then left to wonder, what could be my visual reminder during the off-season so I’ll remember to slow down?

What do I do during the Advent season that slows me down?

It’s living intentionally. It’s living with meaning and purpose. I purposefully focus on God first. I allow God to give meaning to the season. I intentionally spend time with Him, with my family, and with others. If this is so important to me during this part of my calendar year, I need to make it a priority the rest of the year.

So, in 2019, I choose to live more intentionally. I will choose to live life with more meaning and purpose. When I feel the rat race of life begin to spin, I will ground myself in God’s Word, I will ground myself with prayer, and I will lean on others when I’m overwhelmed.

My visual reminder is simple…it’s my Bible, it’s the face of my husband and children, and it’s the face of friends and people who are hurting.

Are you spinning pointlessly right now? Time to get off that wheel and live life with purpose and meaning. Instead of running aimlessly, run to God!

© 2019 Susan M. Sims

Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net/stuartmiles

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