33"So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.
34"Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned?
35"It is useless either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
These words cut through to my heart this morning. In an effort to get ready for Christmas, my focus has been family, friends and gifts. I've spent the last couple of days pondering what I want for Christmas in order that my secret Santa will know what to get for me, and so these words hit especially hard. In addition to thinking about family, I realize that I have a lot of possessions accumulated through many many years. What is it that Jesus is saying to me about my possessions? Am I supposed to sell them? Stop buying things? Refuse to let my secret Santa get me anything?
No, Jesus wants me to put Him first before all else. He is to be my only focus. As I focus on Him and let Him have charge over the people and things in my life, He will show me what to do with them. Focus and surrender are the words that I need to remember during this season of gifts. As I give Him my family and how to serve them this holiday, He will guide and love them. He loves them more than I do. There is no anxiety or frenzy when Jesus is given Lordship over Christmas.