December 29 – just past 12:00 a.m.

I came home around 10:30 p.m. on December 28th from a small Christmas gathering at a friend’s house. It was a lovely evening filled with singing, dancing, laughter, and delicious food. More than anything else, being together with close friends is truly a blessing.

Sometimes we have differences—the way we think, the way we present ourselves, and the way we believe certain things. The closer we get to one another, the more we notice both the good and the not-so-good in each other’s lives. Still, overall, it is a blessing to have friends.

All of us at the gathering have migrated to Canada—some about 50 years ago, others around 20 years ago. Each of us left behind our families, siblings, parents, relatives, and friends. We raised our children here in Canada, so they are fully Canadian, while we still carry our Sri Lankan culture mixed with Canadian culture.

Thinking about all this led me to reflect on something deeper. Everything in life can change, but the Word of God never changes. God loves us. Jesus came into this world and died for us. His Holy Spirit lives within us. Whether we lived in Sri Lanka or now live in Canada, these truths remain the same. God expects us to give our best to Him—to love Him more than anything else.

I turned to Scripture and read the book of Obadiah, which has only one chapter. In it, God speaks about Edom and how displeased He was with them. Esau did not value his birthright and sold it to his brother Jacob for a meal.

This made me think deeply. God gives us everything and has a plan for our lives. What He asks from us is obedience and love.

Am I obedient to God?
Do I have the love He expects from me—love for Him and love for others?
Do I give Him first place in my life?

The honest answer is that I am not where God wants me to be. But I sincerely desire to change my heart and live fully for Him. I see attitudes within myself that I am not happy with.

So tonight, I prayed and asked God to help me