Guest commentary by Aaron Neff
Shortly after Epiphany, my family took down our Christmas tree. It was a sad affair for my young daughters. We had prepared for it by talking about it for a few days in advance, but then the day actually arrived and the tree was coming down. To make it a little more tolerable, we took their picture in front of the tree one last time so that they could have a memento. We played Christmas music while we took the ornaments down and put them away. They waved goodbye to the tree when the town truck came in the morning to pick it up from the end of our front yard.
As much as my kids were sad about the annual undecking of the halls, I have to admit, I was having an unusual feeling of dread myself. I often feel a little sad when Christmas is over, but this year felt more intense for some reason. After spending time reflecting on my feelings, I’ve come to realize that I was using the anticipation and joy of the holiday season as a distraction for me. As different and disappointing as it was this year not seeing family in person for the holiday, Christmas was still fun and joyful. However, once it was over and the Christmas tree was headed for a compost pile, the distraction was gone and I was left with the ugly reminder that we’re still living with COVID-19 and national unrest persists.
I am tempted to ask myself, “What can be my next distraction?” Distractions can be good and helpful at times. They can help to stave off being overwhelmed by negative emotions. However, the nature of distractions and the reason they fall short of being permanent solutions to the challenges we face is that they are temporary. Is there anything that can help us in the long term? I am reminded of a Scripture that the apostle Paul wrote: “I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need” (Philippians 4:11-13). Paul faced severe moments of loss, peril and dread in his life. What is the secret of being content that Paul learned? He tells us in the next verse: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:14).
We are living through difficult and hard times, but we can do it. We can face these moments by putting our trust in God — not blindly and passively, but actively and with purpose. Let us live with intention, each of us doing our part to end this pandemic and to make peace in our communities. Let us live with selflessness, humility, kindness, patience and faith. Let us do those things (one step at a time) knowing that God strengthens us. Instead of looking for distractions, let us live with purpose to change what we can control and trust in God to replace our dread with contentment and joy.
