And the Spirit immediately drove [Jesus] out into the wilderness.

He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was

with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. —Mark 1.12-13

Undoubtedly each of us reading this has been tempted away from good at more points in our lives than we would like to admit. That is certainly true for me.

If were going to beat the storm, we better drive thru the night to get to your Mom’s for Christmas, I said to Christy knowing I had no desire for this 53 year old body to be driving well into the early hours of the am. I am ready for bed by 930 these days. We literally drove thru 2 storm systems one to the east and one to the west of us. We were hoping we would beat the storm but didn’t know what we would encounter. And even though we made it without incident, there was another anxious wondering about what we would encounter when we got home for Christmas.

Every year, Merry Christmas seems to be the new hello for the month of December. Who doesn’t want a merry one? I do. If our commercials are any indication of how merry it should be, then my wife needs to up her game in the gift department this year. One commercial in particular recently caught my attention. Pretty girl and GQ guy walking through the snow. He whistles and a cute dog comes rushing over the snowy hill into her arms. She whistles and a GMC truck comes roaring over the hill. If only our Christmas could feel that merry. Yet, how merry do you feel right now?

By nature, I’m not a spontaneously joyful person. I’m a musician - an artist, and melancholy used to rule my demeanor. I desired that my surroundings be in harmony, so space, color, and objects influenced my disposition.

However, over the years as wife, mother, missionary, and preacher in the world, God has taught me that melancholy does not serve me well. What does serve me well is solitude and silence in Christ’s presence, humbly submitting to His will. Joy follows quickly.

Our songs at Christmas are filled with talking about peace. Verse one of Silent night talks about “sleep in heavenly peace.” Hark the Herald Angels sing has the line that promises “peace on earth, and good will towards men.” Yet, I think it’s safe to say that peace does not describe our world right now.

What are you waiting for? We are all waiting for something. I am waiting excitedly to become a grandma. I’m waiting for a few hard relationships to get easier. I’m waiting for a new dream to unfold.