The eve before a new year
There’s a frost biting chill in the air this morning. Smoke travels across the fields rolling out of neighbors’ warm chimneys. And the trees are dancing with the wind shaking off the remains of the last of their dying leaves. They are getting ready. Ready for new life.
And tomorrow’s the first day of a new year. Memories. Accomplishments.
So what if 2017 wasn’t such a good year after all? What if it was a gut-wrenching hard year and you don’t want to look back? And what if it’s easier to look back than look for the hope in tomorrow?
Sometimes preparing for tomorrow and remembering the broken of yesterdays and today lingers far longer than we care to mention. And the truth of the matter about this stone-cold hard lesson is this–we can never get prepared for tomorrow without the shedding of yesterday.
And God. He is still on the throne and Jesus is still at the right hand of His Father. And there is hope. And we can tear down the lifeless and build on a foundation that will never sway or crumble. Because He has plans for you. He has plans for me. In 2018.
For other foundation can no man lay that this is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (I Cornithians 3:11, KJV)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13, KJV)
There’s this one cardinal that flys high in the tree and he stares at me some mornings through my kitchen window and I think he knows. He knows I need to see his crimson coat. He knows I need to be reminded the God that gave him his beauty and takes care of his every need–loves me more.
I’ve thought a lot about tomorrow and the 364 days to follow. And if it is the Lord’s will for me to live another year, I want to strive to live more in 2018–like they did.
Like Christmas.
I want to trust as Mary and Joseph trusted. I want to give as they gave. Love as they loved. Surrender as they surrended. Obey as they obeyed.
I want to hear and rejoice as the Shepherds rejoiced. Tell others about Jesus like they told others.
I want to seek the Light as the Wise Men sought Him. I want to fall down on my knees in prayer and worship Him as they did. Listen to God and obey as they did. And give my gifts to Him as they gave.
I want to wait patiently and pray as Simeon did and be thankful for answered prayers. I want to always strive to see Him and know without Jesus–there is no salvation. Simeon knew–For mine eyes have seen thy salvation. (Luke 2:30, KJV)
I want to be like Anna–praying morning, noon, and night. Trusting. And running to Him in haste.
And finally–serve, love and forgive as Jesus did and still does.
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