What are you undoing for the holidays?

The Thanksgiving holiday reminds us to praise God for what he has done. But did you ever think to praise God for the things he has not done? He has never lied or broken a promise. He has never left or forsaken us. He has never been unfaithful, unloving, or unfair. "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities" (Psalm 103:10). What God doesn't do is just as praiseworthy as what he does.

Likewise, one challenge for growing Christians is to discover how to honor God not only when we're busy doing things, but during times of inactivity as well.

Writer Eugene Peterson speaks of "the rhythms of grace." He points out the thought-provoking way Genesis describes God's creation days with the expression, "there was evening and there was morning." This sounds strange to us. In our culture, we assume that days start in the morning, when we begin our work. But in reality, even while most of us are sleeping during the night, God is already at work. Our job, Peterson suggests, is simply to discover the work God has already begun and join him in it.

Our all-powerful God does not grow tired and weary (Isaiah 40:28); he doesn't require physical rest. Yet on the seventh day God "rested from all his work" (Genesis 2:2), and set an example for us by demonstrating there is a time to slow down and reflect on what has been accomplished—a time when enough already has been done. There is a time when each person "may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God" (Ecclesiastes 3:13).

Many of us long for the month of December to be a time like that—a special season to worship, rest, and build family memories. We need quiet moments not for "doing" but for "undoing"—to pray, listen to music, toss a football with the kids, write a letter to a friend. But instead, December's schedule often becomes crammed so full of parties and programs, shopping and spending, working and worrying, we ourselves end up feeling "undone."

Since today is the first day of December, why not take a few moments to plan some constructive "undoing" this month? Along with all the activities of the holiday season, will you take time for some "Sabbaths"—restful, quiet times alone with the Lord? Could you plan to spend some uncrowded evenings with family or friends? Could you find a creative, low-stress way to reach out to others—invite a neighbor over for a relaxing cup of coffee, write an encouraging note to a missionary, or bring a friend along to a Christmas program? "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed" (Proverbs 11:25).

One day Jesus' apostles came to him and reported all they had done and taught. But there were so many people around and so much was going on, there wasn't even time for an unrushed meal. The Lord said, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest" (Mark 6:30, 31).

As someone has said, "If you don't 'come apart' to be with Jesus, you'll 'come apart' from stress." Plan some creative "undoing" this month—and watch what God does.