Languishing is the condition of someone who may be able to function but has lost a sense of hope and meaning. Languishing is not the presence of mental illness; it is the absence of mental and emotional vitality. In ancient lists of deadly sins it was called acedia – weariness of soul and inability to delight in life. We speak of dead marriages and dead-end jobs, and to languish is to feel inner deadness. Languishing is the opposite of flourishing, and it was the fear of Henry David Thoreau that “when I came to die, [I would] discover that I had not lived.”

I read Thoreau’s words and it was as if God was saying, “I came to give you life…live it!” My greatest fear is that I will languish – I don’t even like the sound of the word! I’m an activist, I want to constantly be moving, pushing, pursuing, seeing things change. I even toss and turn all night in my sleep! And yet, too much of my life feels like it’s languishing – there’s a feeling of deadness. Some of that is simply the routine of life, some of it is winter in NW Indiana (L), some of it is laziness, but far too much is that I’ve given up on growth, believing that God has something more for me, as Ortberg says, “the me God wants me to be.” I like that. Deep down I want that.

Here’s what I’m learning: God has a plan for the me he wants me to be, but it will not look like the plan he has for someone else. There is no “one-size-fits-all” process for growth. It includes those things that give me – uniquely – life and vitality, and I’m looking to build them into my life and schedule: solitude, reading, coffee with my wife and friends, laughter, opportunities to coach/encourage/mentor/teach, moments of learning something new, sitting in the sun… Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

In the weeks ahead, I’ll be talking about an assessment to help understand one’s temperament, learning style, signature sin, and season of life. Over time we find that becoming “the me God meant me to be” is too hard or takes too long. When we give up pursuing growth, or really, pursuing God, we languish – we die a slow death! There is a person inside of you and me waiting to come alive. I want that! Because I don’t want to come to the day of my death and “discover I had not lived.” Stay tuned…

I have a unique seat to watch all of the seasonal miracles acted out. Often I feel like one of Santa’s elves – getting the joy of being the in-between person who delivers the surprise package to someone else who is caught off guard by generosity. Bags of groceries, gift cards, neatly wrapped Christmas gifts, or a tin of freshly baked cookies, express a love and concern that is at the heart of the Christmas spirit.

I and my family have marvelous memories of being caught off-guard by the spirit of Christmas: The “White Gifts offering” on Christmas Eve in our church in Hillsdale, OK that often went to pay for special treats for our growing family; the gift of sending Carrie and I to Dallas to be able to walk at graduation from Dallas Seminary; even the fun of nightly gifts showing up on our doorstep last Christmas season, as the Hair family delighted our family with their version of “The 12 Days of Christmas.”

As blessed as it has been to receive over the years, I still find the greatest joy in giving to others. Usually it has been out of our own need and not abundance, but God has always blessed. Gift giving doesn’t have to be extravagant: a hand-written note well-thought out becomes a prized possession, or the gift of time – a cup of coffee or egg nog and conversation may cause someone to characterize this Christmas as “the best ever.” My best Christmas memories are of family gatherings, laughter, hand-made ornaments, listening again to the miracle of the Christmas story, and seeing the spirit of Christmas touch young and old alike.

If we can just carry that spirit of Christmas over to every day of the year we will truly exemplify what Christmas and especially the Christ of Christmas is all about. I’m reminded of Max Lucado’s words: “For a few precious hours, he is beheld, Christ the Lord. Those who pass the year without seeing him, suddenly see him. People who have been accustomed to using his name in vain, pause to use it in praise. Eyes, now free of the blinders of self, marvel at his majesty. All of a sudden, he’s everywhere… I want to savor the spirit just a bit more… I can’t help but linger on one fanciful thought: If he can do so much with such timid prayers lamely offered in December, how much more could he do if we thought of him every day?”

I pray you experience the spirit of Christmas this season and all the days following like never before. Merry Christmas!

(A couple of great Christmas reads to stir the spirit: God Came Near, Max Lucado, and In Search of the Real Spirit of Christmas, Dan Schaeffer)

Big Idea: Zechariah’s prayer rejoices in the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises.

• As a priest Zech should have expected something like this!  He knew the prophecies and the promises and yet he is hesitant to believe!
• Zech’s doubt is reminiscent of Abraham and Sarah’s doubt about having Isaac.
• Where in your life are you hesitant to hope?  Do you believe your financial situation can ever be better?  Your marriage? Your health?
• Why are we so hesitant to believe what we know to be true about God and His faithfulness.
• God “shut-up” Zech for 9 mos to contemplate His promises to Israel!

Take home:  Even the smallest thread of hope is powerful when attached to God’s promises.