After

Have you ever attended a formal event? Maybe prom, homecoming, or something else? For girls, you probably spent the preceding week (maybe weeks) planning what you would wear, how you would do your hair, your nails, etc. You waited in anticipation. Finally the event arrived. Your hair was coated with hairspray, your nails were colorful, and your dress was perfect. The night flew by. You had an amazing time, and told everyone it was the best night of your life. You sink into bed in the wee hours of the morning and sleep for a very long time.
It's two days later. Your dress is hanging in the closet. Your nails are chipped. Your body is sore from dancing. Your feet are sore because of your shoes. You just washed the last of the hairspray out of your oily hair. Dark circles live under your eyes. The events of two nights ago seem like nothing more than a fun dream.
This is all you have to show for your adventure. Do you sometimes feel like this is all that will be left at the end of your life? You live a full, exciting life, but all that's waiting at the end is hurt and chipped nails. Are you really satisfied with that? Are you okay with standing before God and having to say that you made your life just a big party, nothing else? Are you content with living only for yourself? Are you alright with having nothing to show at the end of your life but greasy hair and blistered feet?
Can I encourage you to evaluate your priorities? Because your life may seem good now, but you will regret it later. Think about the millions of people living in poverty, hungry, and naked. Think about the widows, the orphans, the friendless, and the hurting. Does it hurt? If it does, good. That means you do care. Put that care in action. If you don't care one bit, maybe you need to go spend some time as these people. Christmas is the perfect time to do that. Go beyond throwing your change in the red bucket. Make a difference with your life. It will hurt. It won't be fun. But do it anyway.
~Michaela