December can feel like a race. There’s shopping, decorating, traveling, and all those extra events that get packed into our schedules. But while trying to do it all, we might miss what matters most. What if this busy season wasn’t just about everything going on around us, but about a quiet change that starts inside us? At our Christian church in Mount Pleasant, NC, we’ve been reflecting on a message from Pastor Nick Newman that’s simple but powerful. It’s based on Matthew 22 and reminds us that following Jesus isn’t about doing more; it’s about loving more, loving God, and loving others. And the truth is, that change doesn’t start with our neighbors or friends or family. It starts with us.
What Jesus Said Really Matters
In Matthew 22, Jesus was asked a big question: “What is the greatest commandment?” It was the kind of question meant to trap Him, but His answer was about freedom, not rules. He said the most important thing is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and love our neighbor as ourselves.
That small answer holds everything together. During a season full of lights and plans, that kind of love shines even brighter. We might think big moments are needed to change the world, but Jesus starts smaller. He starts with love. Real love. Honest love. The kind that looks like being present, forgiving quickly, and helping someone carry their groceries just because. These two instructions seem simple, but they quietly shape everything else. Especially around the holidays, when stress can run high and patience runs thin, remembering Jesus’ answer can keep us grounded.
Loving God Starts With Our Hearts
Loving God isn’t about doing all the religious things just right. It begins with our hearts. Jesus talks about loving God with every part of us, what we feel, what we think, and how we live. That might sound like a big request, especially when we feel stretched between schedules and school breaks and crowded stores. But it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Making time for God doesn’t mean carving out hours we don’t have. It can mean quiet prayers while stuck in traffic or thankful thoughts during a walk. It’s about putting Him first in real-life ways. Maybe it’s reading scripture for five minutes before bed or turning off distractions to simply be still.
At Propel Church, we create space every Sunday for people to grow in their faith and experience God’s presence together. Attending worship experiences as a family or bringing a friend to church, even during a busy month, can help keep faith at the center.
When we learn to slow down and connect with God during a rushed season, peace shows up even in the noise. That kind of peace doesn’t depend on whether everything is done. It comes from knowing we’ve made space for what matters, and it steadies us when life feels shaky.
Loving People Happens in Small Moments
We don’t always need big plans to love people well. Most of the time, it happens in the smallest moments.
- A kind word at the checkout line.
- Offering to help someone carry a bag.
- Letting someone go ahead in traffic without getting annoyed.
These little choices actually grow something much bigger in us and around us.
Loving people like Jesus did isn’t about waiting for the perfect chance. It’s about seeing people the way He sees them. That includes the person who cuts in line or the family member who always shows up late. When we slow down enough to notice others and be kind in ordinary ways, we’re living out what Jesus taught.
Especially during the holidays, small things carry more weight. The world feels rushed. That’s why a little patience, a warm smile, or an invitation to sit together can feel so different. These moments remind others, and us, that love is still the most important thing.
It Starts With Me: Taking Ownership
Sometimes it’s easy to look around and wish things were better. At school. At home. In the neighborhood. But real change doesn’t start out there. It starts right here.
When Jesus said to love God and love others, He didn’t say wait for someone else to go first. He spoke in a way that made it personal. Our kindness, our answers, our reactions, they all matter. Instead of waiting for the mood to lift or for someone else to lead, what if we became the ones who took that first step?
Choosing to forgive, pausing to listen, being the person who builds peace instead of tension. These choices don’t make headlines, but they shift the atmosphere. We get to decide the tone of our homes, friendships, and day-to-day moments. Not through perfection, but through patience and purpose.
A Season to Show What Matters Most
By now, our calendars are probably full. The lights are hung. The gifts are getting wrapped. But let’s not forget that love is still the best thing we could give. Loving God and loving others is the kind of gift that doesn’t get old, break, or need to be returned. And while it’s not always easy, it’s always worth doing.
Propel Church offers Next Steps classes designed to help you grow in faith, discover your purpose, and find lasting community. There’s always a place to belong, whether you’re figuring out what you believe or want to connect with others who are on the same journey.
As we move through the season here in Mount Pleasant, let’s make space for what really matters. Not the busyness or the picture-perfect plans, but hearts that are open to Jesus. That’s when others notice something different, not just in what we say but in how we live.
Choose Love This Holiday Season
Big change doesn’t come from waiting or wishing. It comes when we choose to show up with love. One small step, one person, one moment at a time. It starts with us.
Slowing down this season and focusing on what lasts can make a real difference. Life feels full in December, but making space for love, faith, and connection doesn’t have to be complicated. At our Christian church in Mount Pleasant, NC, we walk with you through the busyness and help you reconnect with what truly matters. Propel Church is a place where honest moments, simple steps, and real hope come together. When you’re ready to take that next step, reach out to us today.