Highs and lows… gains and losses… hopes and fears… good news and bad… hellos and goodbyes… What a year 2021 has been! Great joy as precious new lives were granted us, but deep sadness as dear ones were parted from us. What a year, indeed.
And ready or not, 2022 is upon us! Seems we’ve hardly had time to catch our breath. What will the coming year bring?
Uncertainty, for sure. But for us who belong to Jesus, there’s the certainty of His presence: I am with you always.There may well be pain or sadness. Possibly even loss. But we have great hope in these assurances:
Does the Father truly love us?
(He does)
Does the Spirit move among us?
(He does)
And does Jesus, our Messiah hold forever those He loves?
(He does)
Does our God intend to dwell again with us?
(He does)*
But there’s more to ’22 than just hanging on and surviving. There’s opportunity! The apostle Paul wrote, “for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Cor. 16:9). With every day we are given, in spite of the adversaries, there is the opportunity to make a gain for Christ’s Kingdom. To plant something for the harvest. To work the soil for an increase. To please Him.
So then, for each and every day we are given in 2022, let us seize the opportunity and do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (adapted from Galatians 6:10)
Blessings, and Happy New Year!
* Is He Worthy?, Andrew Peterson