GIVE UP –CHEER UP–BOOST UP
There goes a simple story of a father trying to explain the importance of the season of Advent to his ten-year-old son.
>> He stresses on the need to prepare oneself well for Christmas.
The father said, “You ought to ‘give up’ something in Advent; something you will really miss, like for example, chocolates!”
The boy thought for a moment, then asked, “What are you giving up, Daddy?” “I’m giving up liquor,” the father replied.
>> “But before dinner you were drinking something” the boy protested. “Oh! That was only wine” said the father “I gave up hard liquor”
To which the boy replied, “Well then, I think even I’ll give up hard chocolates!!”
‘Giving up’ completely, in life, becomes a hard challenge and a difficult task.
>> But only in going through the tough way, can one obtain true success in life.
Only by giving up human interests in favor of God’s choices, can one find heavenly bliss!
Today, each one of is being invited and challenged to “give up” things in life…
“Give up”…
… our will in favour of God’s Will in our lives.
… our sinful tendencies to allow purity and holiness to overshadow us.
… our selfish desires and interests to make space for the needs of others.
“Give up”…
… our personal time of comfort and luxury to give more time to the Lord.
… our judgmental attitudes and embrace the spirit of gentleness and forgiveness.
… our wrecking feelings of brokenness and let in God’s presence and grace to heal us.
No doubt that this “giving up” is a hard task and even might seem “impossible” to us.