Life is Like—A Christmas Tree and Lindsay Lohan

Some title, right?

But it’s true. I love watching people, pop culture, and things, and it makes no sense but many times that is the biggest way God speaks to me. He can give me the most mundane thing and show me His perspective with it, and then I usually tell you about it.

Today is a lot like that.

I remember watching the extras on the Freaky Friday DVD, the version Lindsay Lohan starred in. Someone called out to her and basically said that after the movie wrapped, she’d never deal with the crew again or anyone because the world was her oyster. He felt she’d move on to bigger and better things, and forget anyone who came before that time. (I’m paraphrasing). She denied it.

Not long after, I remember her winning awards and being called the Next It Girl, and future superstar. Circa 2004-5, she could do no wrong. She was on top of the world.

In 2011, she was a late night punchline. No positive awards came her way, and in fact many wrote her off for good. Superstar? Hardly. Those days were long gone.

It’s an odd parallel and maybe you can’t make the leap, but the Christmas tree is much the same. Come November they are treasured and adored, and I’m the worst offender of them all. Although we have an artificial tree, I want the smell. I love to decorate. The tree for 4-6 weeks is the focal point of our home. We hang hand-crafted and store bought treasures on the beloved branches.

Just like that, it’s January.

The trees are on the curb, naked and forgotten. In our case, dismantled, back in the box, and relegated to the garage.

Is that any way to live?

I don’t think it matters what your daily life is about. For me, I write, and it’s a tough business. My husband is a programmer. Loved ones are teachers, soldiers, and parts of every walk of life. If any of us, with what we do, rely on what the world thinks about our work and choices, well, look forward to the cheers to jeers life of a Christmas tree.

I know, Lindsay created a lot of the jeers she receives. Still, Google her name for 2005. It’s full of accolades and awards. It was her November season for a Christmas tree. Adored. Loved.

January Christmas tree parallel? A has-been. Discarded.

Last month I won a contest, my first. What is neat about what I do is how subjective it all is. I’ve had the same work receive raving reviews, and awful criticism. I decided in 2007 when I made the commitment to write that I would write for God. If I relied on what the world thinks of me, and for a long time I ate, drank, slept and breathed those thoughts, then I’d be in for a lot of hurt. Trust me.

To Him, I’m forever the Christmas tree in November. I can do the best work of my life, as Lindsay of 2005, or, fall flat on my face with my choices. He loves me either way. He also loves me enough to put some consequences in my life when my choices are sin. But love me, He does.

Just like He loves you.

This post feels random, but there’s someone out there who needs to know that title, promotion, role they rely on for their identity is going to fail them, or, the world that right now is lifting you up will throw you back down and walk away. Don’t define yourself by what you do, define yourself by who you are.

God’s beloved. His child. Loved.

And by knowing who you are in Christ, you’ll twinkle brighter than the decorations on a Christmas tree.

Even in January.

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