At this time of year it is a good thing, although often not an easy thing, to pause and reflect on all that God has done throughout the past year and to contemplate those things that we expect to see Him do in the year to come.
At this time of year it is a good thing, although often not an easy thing, to pause and reflect on all that God has done throughout the past year and to contemplate those things that we expect to see Him do in the year to come.
I say it is a good thing because as we are reminded by Moses in the book of Deuteronomy that as we move forward, we are to look back. Thirteen times in that book Moses uses the word ‘remember.’ Israel stood at the bank of the Jordon River looking forward to moving into the Promise Land. Moses knew the dangers before them: the danger of following false Gods, the danger of discouragement. But Moses also knew that the future takes on meaning by remembering, for wisdom often comes in looking back.
I say that it is a difficult thing simply because this season of peace and reflection has become a mad-rush hectic time when we never seem to pause long enough to reflect on the things of the Lord. That’s really too bad for in our flurry of activities we miss the point. I have found that very often what at the moment seems important is not really that important and ultimately, it’s only those things hand made by God’s love that really last.
In the midst of our daily rush what often catches our attention can be very discouraging. We see schools issuing contraceptives to eleven year old girls without parental approval, and in so doing undermining the role of parents. We find legislators and courts making rulings concerning hate crimes that potentially undermine the role of the church and the family. We find the state, and during this Christmas season, even local businesses doing their best to take God out of our everyday life. It would be easy to feel that our nation is on an irreversible downhill slide and that there is little that we can do. When Israel returned from captivity it found itself in a similar situation. In Haggai 2 the prophet writes: Does anyone remember this house—this Temple in its former splendor? How in comparison, does it look to you now? It must seem like nothing at all! But now the Lord says: Be strong. For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land. I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord of Heavens Armies. The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the lord of Heaven’s Armies. Basically what the prophet is saying is: Don’t be discouraged, rather lift up your eyes and see the resources that I have placed at your disposition.
That is why as I look back at what God has done over this past year rejoice. I rejoice at the spiritual victories we have seen. I rejoice at the new people who are attending. I rejoice that in the past year many, both young and old who have come to the Lord. I rejoice in the way God has met our every need, and I am convinced that our great God of unlimited resources will enable us to move forward and accomplish many wonderful things for Him in the coming year.
As I write this I am thankful. I am thankful for all God has done and I look forward to all that He will do in the year to come. I look forward this next year to seeing the Bible Discovery Zone grow, reaching out to many more kids. I also look forward to seeing the AWANA and VBS programs touch even more unchurched kids. I look forward to seeing the families of our church establish priorities that place God in the forefront of their lives. I look forward to seeing the small groups grow to the point where most of those who attend church here are involved in one. I look forward to seeing many more from our church going out on short term mission trips. I look forward to seeing the Alpha studies going into the area prisons. In this coming year I look forward to seeing many people come to the Lord and I look forward to sustained spiritual growth for all who attend here.
It is my prayer that we will never become ‘too busy’ to lift our eyes to the Lord to see how marvelously he is working and to realize what great things He has in store for us in the year to come. As we lift up our eyes to the God of unlimited resources let us pray that He will bless this church and touch this area with the message His gospel in a mighty way.