Websters College Dictionary defines "resolution" as "a resolve or determination" or "the act of resolving or determining upon a course of action, method, procedure, etc." At the beginning of this new year, thousands upon thousands of people are setting goals for themselves and establishing resolutions. Memes flash across the web saying "new year new me" and depicting the previous year as trash. "Good riddance it's over," cries culture. "Twenty-Eighteen will be NOTHING like '17. THIS YEAR, we'll get it right. Things will be better this year. 2018 will be BETTER than 2017." What will they be saying 12:01 AM January 1st, 2019? Hands up if you think we'll call 2018 a warm bath we're just emerging from and not a frying pan. Hands up if you think 2019 won't be the fire. My family (blood, church, and Church) has had a super tough year. It has been marked by calamity and stress and defeat and hardship. But what cut deepest was growth. I can attest to this, that I and my church family have grown so much in the dozen months of 2017. I do not recall a year in which and through which we needed God's hand and presence and peace more constantly and presently - yet I cannot name a greater time of growth and unity with church and God for myself and the church. Last year someone in our church prayed prophetically (ooh scary word) that 2017 would be a year through which we would have to "fight for joy." Nothing could have been more true. Satan did his best to make it difficult. But boy did we fight - and, with God on our side, what can stand against? This is my prayer for this year. That fear would not stop us. That we would grow through every hardship. That we would step forth into the fire and be unafraid of that which refines, in faith and resilience. In Isaiah 51:12 (ESV) God says, "I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass?" We have no right to be afraid! Our Lord "stirs up the sea so that its waves roar" (Isa. 51:15)! Our God created the universe and breathed life into every living being. He who is eternal can carry us through another 365 days. This year, let us rest upon God's strength and be assured of his greatness. And let us above all step into the great plans he has for us. We have the opportunity to turn 2018 into a year of amazing growth. In 2018, let us become towers with the Lord of Hosts as our rock. In 2018, let us become towers. I implore us all to pray this. Sincerely, JA
2 Comments
EBA
1/1/2018 12:38:05 pm
Amen, so encouraging!
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1/2/2018 05:16:09 pm
This is my favorite line: "He who is eternal can carry us through another 365 days." Amen!
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