I must confess that in the past few years I have dreaded a new year coming. Don’t get me wrong, I was grateful to be ALIVE and WELL, but there was something heavy lingering. Maybe it was more like a foreboding concerning the direction our country was taking and what the consequences would be for the people.
This year is different.
Why? I don’t know. It certainly isn’t because I have hope in the direction our country is taking. I definitely don’t have hope in our government, though they desperately need our prayers. But I felt excitement in my spirit when January 1st arrived. I was driven to have all of my Christmas decorations boxed away BEFORE January 1st (which is NOT like me). It was time for 2012 to be behind us. Again, I don’t know why — but I feel a great sense of OPPORTUNITY in the air.
The world is before us. This is a fresh start! It is a new year! All is not lost but with Jesus there is HOPE. I also have the understanding more than before that as Christians we don’t share the same report as the world. Our financial stability doesn’t rely on the fiscal cliff, but on supernatural checks and balances. Our Father owns the cattle of a thousand hills (Psalm 50). He meets our needs. Our citizenship is not of this world and we don’t depend on the things of this world.
Yes, we have great opportunities this year.
It is time for the Church to shine as a light on a hill.
I am excited to see what God has planned for 2013!
Philippians 3:19-21
Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Emphasis mine.)
I am linking with two lovely ladies: Lisa-Jo for her 5-Minute Friday and Barbie for her Weekend Brew. Lisa-Jo provides a prompt and we write for five minutes. Today’s prompt is: OPPORTUNITY. Barbie opens her blog to share encouragement. Please click on their buttons below to visit.
Also, IF you missed my post about losing 239 pounds — PLEASE CLICK HERE.
Beth, I loved how you ended this post, saying that we have great opportunities this year and that it’s time for the church to shine! Yes!! I couldn’t agree more! …Love the passage from Phillippians, too. Thanks for sharing today!
🙂 Jane from Monday Morning Meditations
Hi dear Beth
I had the same feeling on new year’s day. I think it is because we are bound to this world and all its uncertainties, but because we are just pilgrims.
Much love ans a blesses 2013
Mia
Hi dear Beth
I had the same feeling on new year’s day. I think it is because we are bound to this world and all its uncertainties, but because we are just pilgrims.
Much love and blessed 2013
Mia
Amen to a fresh start! I too am looking forward to 2013! Thank you for linking up. I have a new button in my sidebar if you’d like to grab it for next time!
My husband recently preached a sermon where he reminded and encouraged us to remember that we do not interpret life through everyday circumstances…but rather the reality that Christ is King informs how we interact and deal with our circumstances and the world around us. So thankful for your words bringing that to mind!