FROM THE PASTOR
Upsizing – Downsizing
So what?
Happy New Year everyone. My prayer is that God bring you every blessing that comes with contemplating what’s been done for us in sending a saviour, Jesus Christ; this blessing will come to your hearts and minds, the same way it did Mary when she pondered and treasured all these wonders in her heart.
To the above theme: are you an upsizer or a downsizer? And does it matter? Well in relation to our faith, I firmly believe it does; I’ll unwrap more of this later. But to the basic question: upsizer or downsizer? Well that depends on a lot of things; age, where you live, what you do, your status – single, married, and many other factors. You can use any example you like but here’s a few in general:
A teenager wants to upsize their Macca’s meal – bigger is better especially when you’re hungry.
Older teens to early twenties (even fifties) – a bigger motor in your car, or bike was always better.
When you get older and your family ‘grows and goes’ you don’t need that big tank of a car anymore, so you downsize.
Most “Baby Boomers” have gone from big houses with sheds full of stuff, to low maintenance gardens, smaller, village type of living where life is more manageable. And so on.
I’m sure you get the drift and much more could be said. From a “marketing – businesses – retail” point of view there’s a stack of money to be made in this kind of up/downsizing thing. And you can bet your bottom dollar, you will never hear around Christmas, that downsizing is the way to go, unless of course you own a jewellery shop! Still, it’s advertisers and even our own nature that basically says, “Bigger is better”, and, “The more, you have, the better you are off”.
Most of us, I think, would find that downsizing has a definite upside. And I think too that downsizing at Christmas is something happening more and more; i.e., asking ourselves what do I need less of, and what can I really do without, how can I downsize to upsize someone else to make their lives a little better. Perhaps it’s no longer holding on to the perfect gift mentality. Perhaps downsizing is no longer filling the home and fridge full of food and gifts and cards, etc. nothing wrong with enjoying a few little extras this time of year, and those previous years have created some great memories. But downsizing at Christmas gives us the time and energy for what makes Christmas truly worth celebrating. Not to mention a slimmer waistline.
So now to upsizing / downsizing in relation to our Christian faith; normally this kind of thing happens around the season of Lent where we contemplate the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross and whose blood was shed for our sins. We take stock of life and the world around us, by doing a little exercise of faith like:
fasting instead of feasting
a more focussed and intensive prayer and devotional life
giving instead of taking, etc.
And it’s similar for the Christmas / New Year, and like dieting, it’s never too late to downsize over Christmas and New Year. If our minds are in a constant state of overload – trying to manage all the things you need to do, then we give little thought to the way for the Lord. Downsizing in terms of our faith provides us room, some breathing space to de-clutter our hearts and hear the good news, as it does around Lent and Easter.
Who doesn’t enjoy getting together with friends during this season? But if social engagements keep us too busy or exhausted to make it to worship, a little downsizing could provide opportunity to spend quality time with the Lord, Who once gently reminded a close friend:
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)
If our Christmas and New Year overshadows God’s gift of His Son to the world, then downsize. May we never forget what really matters. Let’s appreciate the traditions and practices, the feasting, resting, holidays, etc. but at the same time, let’s not hesitate to do some downsizing as needed. The upside is seeing our Saviour, more clearly, and all the more clearly as the source of our salvation and the reason for celebration all year long.
We Pray For:
† Those who pass on the message of the gospel, for missionaries, both in other countries and here at home.
† The nations, that the light of Christ shines on them.
† Our nation, that its leaders and people pursue peace and justice.
† People who say they are Christians but do not practice their faith.
† The wealthy, that they share their wealth as a gift to the poor.
So what?
Happy New Year everyone. My prayer is that God bring you every blessing that comes with contemplating what’s been done for us in sending a saviour, Jesus Christ; this blessing will come to your hearts and minds, the same way it did Mary when she pondered and treasured all these wonders in her heart.
To the above theme: are you an upsizer or a downsizer? And does it matter? Well in relation to our faith, I firmly believe it does; I’ll unwrap more of this later. But to the basic question: upsizer or downsizer? Well that depends on a lot of things; age, where you live, what you do, your status – single, married, and many other factors. You can use any example you like but here’s a few in general:
A teenager wants to upsize their Macca’s meal – bigger is better especially when you’re hungry.
Older teens to early twenties (even fifties) – a bigger motor in your car, or bike was always better.
When you get older and your family ‘grows and goes’ you don’t need that big tank of a car anymore, so you downsize.
Most “Baby Boomers” have gone from big houses with sheds full of stuff, to low maintenance gardens, smaller, village type of living where life is more manageable. And so on.
I’m sure you get the drift and much more could be said. From a “marketing – businesses – retail” point of view there’s a stack of money to be made in this kind of up/downsizing thing. And you can bet your bottom dollar, you will never hear around Christmas, that downsizing is the way to go, unless of course you own a jewellery shop! Still, it’s advertisers and even our own nature that basically says, “Bigger is better”, and, “The more, you have, the better you are off”.
Most of us, I think, would find that downsizing has a definite upside. And I think too that downsizing at Christmas is something happening more and more; i.e., asking ourselves what do I need less of, and what can I really do without, how can I downsize to upsize someone else to make their lives a little better. Perhaps it’s no longer holding on to the perfect gift mentality. Perhaps downsizing is no longer filling the home and fridge full of food and gifts and cards, etc. nothing wrong with enjoying a few little extras this time of year, and those previous years have created some great memories. But downsizing at Christmas gives us the time and energy for what makes Christmas truly worth celebrating. Not to mention a slimmer waistline.
So now to upsizing / downsizing in relation to our Christian faith; normally this kind of thing happens around the season of Lent where we contemplate the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross and whose blood was shed for our sins. We take stock of life and the world around us, by doing a little exercise of faith like:
fasting instead of feasting
a more focussed and intensive prayer and devotional life
giving instead of taking, etc.
And it’s similar for the Christmas / New Year, and like dieting, it’s never too late to downsize over Christmas and New Year. If our minds are in a constant state of overload – trying to manage all the things you need to do, then we give little thought to the way for the Lord. Downsizing in terms of our faith provides us room, some breathing space to de-clutter our hearts and hear the good news, as it does around Lent and Easter.
Who doesn’t enjoy getting together with friends during this season? But if social engagements keep us too busy or exhausted to make it to worship, a little downsizing could provide opportunity to spend quality time with the Lord, Who once gently reminded a close friend:
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)
If our Christmas and New Year overshadows God’s gift of His Son to the world, then downsize. May we never forget what really matters. Let’s appreciate the traditions and practices, the feasting, resting, holidays, etc. but at the same time, let’s not hesitate to do some downsizing as needed. The upside is seeing our Saviour, more clearly, and all the more clearly as the source of our salvation and the reason for celebration all year long.
We Pray For:
† Those who pass on the message of the gospel, for missionaries, both in other countries and here at home.
† The nations, that the light of Christ shines on them.
† Our nation, that its leaders and people pursue peace and justice.
† People who say they are Christians but do not practice their faith.
† The wealthy, that they share their wealth as a gift to the poor.