The simplify challenge

I am taking up a challenge. I am going to simplify. I will simplify this month right down to making it about Jesus. There have been a couple different blogs that have challenged me to do this both to simplify how I celebrate Christmas so it is more about Jesus less about the hubbub and another that has inspired me and encouraged me to turn to my Abba King for rest as this year winds down. I think I really like that idea.

I want this last month of the year to be a preparation for the new year. It is easy to save January as the recovery from November and December. Instead I think I will make my December the cool down walk after the run.

There are some major changes for my family happening this month and next but I have a feeling God wants the major happenings to be there as a tool to help me be purposeful in this endeavor.

I don't know exactly what all this will look like but here is how I imagine it to be as told be C.S. Lewis.

"If one could run without getting tired, I don't think one would often want to do anything else. But there might be special reasons for stopping, and it was a special reason which made Eustace presently shout:

'I say! Steady! Look what we're coming to!'

And well he might. For now they saw before them Caldron Pool and beyond the Pool the high unclimbable cliffs and, pouring down the cliffs, thousands of tons of water every second flashing like diamonds in some places and dark, glassy green in others, the Great Waterfall; and already the thunder of it was in their ears.

'Don't stop! Further up and further in,' called Farsight, tilting his flight a little upward.

'It's all very well for him,' said Eustace, but Jewel also cried out: 'Don't stop. Further up and further in! Take it in your stride.'

His voice could only just be heard above the roar of the water but next moment everyone saw that he had plunged into the Pool. And helterskelter behind him, with splash after splash, all the others did the same. The water was not bitingly cold as all of them (and especially Puzzle) expected, but of a delicious foamy coolness. They all found they were swimming straight for the Waterfall itself.

'This is absolutely crazy,' said Eustace to Edmund.

'I know. And yet-' said Edmund.

'Isn't it wonderful?' said Lucy. 'Have you noticed one can't feel afraid, even if one wants to? Try it.'

By Jove, neither one can.' said Eustace after he had tried."

The beginning of Chapter 16, the last chapter of The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis.

I prayerfully encourage you to join me in one less garland, a few less Christmas cards sent out, a lot less worry, spend less, do less, abound in peace and come join me. Stop the running and jump into the Living Water of God's eternal grace and love in Christ Jesus this season.