There’s no optimism like that which a new year brings. Ok, I get it, that’s not true for everybody. But its true for a lot of us. And if a new year brings a lot of hope, how much more does a new decade bring!
But (and I’m not trying to rain on your Rose Parade) it’s just Wednesday. Yesterday was Tuesday. And tomorrow will be Thursday.
It is natural (and probably even good) to feel hope and optimism at the beginning of a new year and decade. But, what if you could bring that excitement and joy into the fabric of your daily life?
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22–23, NIV)
“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3, NIV)
“The Lord within her is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he dispenses his justice, and every new day he does not fail…” (Zephaniah 3:5, NIV)
“Give us today our daily bread…” (Matthew 6:11, NIV)
Every single day is an opportunity to live in relationship with the God who formed you and knows you intimately and loves you greatly. I think the witness of the Bible reminds us to bring that same level of hope that we feel today and carry it forward to every sunrise. Why? Because God loves you, he provides for you, he will not fail you, and he delights in you. What might happen if you made it a goal to bring the hope of God’s New Creation into every day of your life?
At least for me, I think that’s a really good perspective to have. Because right now, on Wednesday, January 1, 2020, I have absolutely no idea what the next year will hold – let alone the next ten years. But I do know (and yes, I do knowit) that God will be with me through it all.
For all of our goals, plans, and resolutions (all good, don’t get me wrong), what if we made it our primary (even sole?) ambition to follow Jesus into whatever he leads me? I like the way that a personal hero of mine, Dallas Willard, puts it, “Do the next right thing that you know you ought to do.”
In some ways, it really is that simple. And partly, that’s why I’m excited about our series in the Gospel of Mark to kick off 2020 – Good News. Over the next few months, we’re going to look at the Gospel that Jesus taught and lived and how it applies to our lives. But this Sunday, it all starts with a Rabbi wandering into Galilee proclaiming “the Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the Good News!” And then he walks by a few fisherman and says, “Follow me and I’ll send you out to fish for people.”
What? And why fishermen? Was it just so Jesus could use that pun? Why Galilee? And what does ‘the Kingdom’ have to do with anything?
I’m looking forward to being with you and walking this journey together.
Praying for a great 2020 and beyond!
Pastor Steve
