Romans 14:7 For
none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves
alone. (NIV)
Just after the new year, we’re all full of ideas and
goals that we want to achieve. Most of us look forward to the possibilities and
opportunities that the next twelve months may bring. It’s as if we’ve all been
given a clean sheet with the ability to start again. A lot of people get
energized by the turning of the year, so it’s a good time to begin something novel,
tackle something fresh, and get excited about the new path that we’re on.
As people of faith, we look to God to give us guidance
and reassurance. We hope that all we want to accomplish is aligned with His will.
We desire to do something significant and feel that our lives are not just
worthwhile, but actually meaningful. In other words, we seek to be all that we
can be, using the gifts, skills, and resources that we have managed to accrue and
develop. When we use them effectively and devote them to God, we sometimes
discover new blessings and opportunities coming our way. Through the giving our
lives to God, we honor the important work of His Son Jesus. By choosing to bring
our lives into line with God’s will, we are given a deep sense of belonging to
God, no matter what lies ahead.
Let’s hope and pray that 2018 will be an exceptional year
in which we can deepen our faith commitment to God and develop new ways of experiencing
significance in all that we prepare and plan to do. Time is a wonderful gift
that should never be wasted; life is an amazing blessing that should always be
celebrated. May God bless all of your hope and dreams by allowing your plans to
succeed.
Point to ponder
What do I hope to accomplish this year? Have I truly
asked God to help me?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank You for allowing us to be
restored to God’s favor, so we may truly experience belonging to Him. Guide us
with Your Spirit throughout this year and help us to accomplish all that we
seek to do. In Your Holy Name, we humbly ask and pray. Amen.
John Stuart is the pastor
of Erin Presbyterian Church in
Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to respond to today’s message, please
send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.
Today’s image is one of John’s
latest drawings called “Celtic Communion.” If you would like to view a larger
version, please click this link: Celtic.
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