Jesus Calling December 28
Okay, picture this: it's December 28th. The sparkly chaos of Christmas is just starting to settle down, you know? The wrapping paper mountain is (finally!) conquered, the last gingerbread cookie has been devoured (or is it? Maybe there's one hiding!), and the New Year's resolutions are already whispering sweet (or terrifying) nothings in your ear. It's this weird, in-between time. A little bit reflective, a little bit anticipatory, and let's be honest, a little bit exhausted from all the holiday shenanigans.
And right smack dab in the middle of this wonderfully weird week is December 28th. If you’re reading this, you’re probably diving into your Jesus Calling devotional, and today’s message is a real gem. It’s like Jesus pulling you aside, maybe with a steaming mug of something delicious (cocoa? Earl Grey? You pick!), and saying, "Hey, you. Yeah, you. Let's chat for a minute."
This particular day, the vibe is all about trusting Him, even when things feel a bit fuzzy. Think about it. We’ve just navigated the glorious, often overwhelming, whirlwind of Christmas. There were gifts to buy, meals to plan, family dynamics to somehow gracefully manage (we all have that one relative, right?). And now, as we edge closer to a new year, there's a whole new set of unknowns. Will those resolutions stick? Will that big project at work actually come together? Will I ever find matching socks again?
Jesus Calling for December 28th reminds us that He's got the roadmap, even when we can only see a few steps ahead. It’s like you’re trying to assemble some ridiculously complicated IKEA furniture with no instructions. You’ve got all these pieces, and you’re pretty sure they should go together, but… how? And then, Jesus steps in, not with a full-blown instruction manual (where’s the fun in that?), but with a gentle nudge, a quiet whisper of reassurance: "Just keep going. Take the next step. I'm here with you."
The devotional talks about how He is your Strength. And honestly, after the holiday marathon, who doesn’t need a good dose of that? It's not about brute force or Herculean effort. It's about that deep, abiding strength that comes from knowing you're not carrying the load alone. It’s the kind of strength that allows you to tackle that ever-growing laundry pile with a smile (okay, maybe a slightly strained smile, but a smile nonetheless!). It’s the strength to forgive that slightly passive-aggressive comment from your aunt and still offer her a slice of pie. It’s the strength to believe in your own messy, beautiful humanity.
Imagine you’re trying to parallel park on a super busy street. Your palms are sweaty, the horns are honking (exaggerating slightly, but you get the picture!), and you’re pretty sure you’re going to end up in the wrong zip code. But then, you remember you have a fantastic driving instructor (that’s Jesus in this analogy!) sitting right there with you. They don’t grab the steering wheel and take over (unless it’s a real emergency, of course!). Instead, they offer calm guidance: "Turn the wheel a little more. Now straighten up. You got this!" And suddenly, that impossible parking spot feels… manageable.
The message on December 28th is like that. It’s about leaning into His presence, His power, His unwavering love. It’s about admitting, "Okay, God, I don't have all the answers. My to-do list is a mile long, and sometimes I feel like I'm just winging it." And in that vulnerable admission, you find an incredible freedom. Because He says, "That's okay. You don't have to have all the answers. I do. And I've got you."
This isn’t about suddenly becoming a super-human who never stumbles or doubts. Oh no. It’s about recognizing that even in our imperfections, even in our moments of feeling utterly clueless, He is present and actively working. He’s not waiting for us to be perfect before He steps in. He’s right there in the messy middle, holding our hand, whispering, "Trust Me."
So, as you navigate these final days of December, as you contemplate the year ahead, let this message sink in. Jesus is your strength. He is your guide. And He wants you to trust Him with every single step, the big leaps and the tiny wobbly ones. Embrace the trust, find your strength in Him, and know that no matter what the next few days or months hold, you are deeply loved and wonderfully, beautifully held. It’s a pretty awesome thought, isn't it? Now go forth and conquer that post-holiday funk with a heart full of trust and a knowing smile!
