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Hello, and welcome to another Breath of Fresh Air!
Well, here we are at the end of yet another year and I have to admit that at the start of 2003 I did have some feelings of concern as to what may lie ahead. Perhaps you were much the same. After all, the world was more than a little anxious about what may happen in the coming months regarding Iraq. With the ever increasing tensions between some nations regarding the possibility of war it’s not really surprising that we had a fairly uncomfortable and shaky start to the New Year.
As any good suspense writer knows, the unknown is always far more chilling than what has been shown and on the 1st January, 2003, there were 365 days still waiting to be revealed. Some may say that our concerns at the start of the year were somewhat reflected in the year that was -- both through events in the world and through our personal lives as well.
Just from my own family's point of view, I don't think any of us will be sorry to see this year come to an end. It's had its fair share of stresses, difficulties and trials, which have not really put 2003 in contention for the "Year of Our Lives" Award.
Of course there are other families who will remember this year with great fondness and joy. For some there have been engagements, marriages, births, new opportunities and experiences which will cause them to look back on this year as a landmark.
So for some this year was a millstone, while for others it was a milestone!
Either way, we're now living in the final days of this third year of the new millennium and what has been will never be exactly the same ever again.
So no matter whether we're deliriously happy to see the year draw to a close, (almost as though saying goodbye to a houseguest who has overstayed his welcome), or whether we're feeling just a tiny bit sad at the thought of singing Auld Lang Syne (because it feels as if we're bidding farewell to a dearly loved friend), the fact is that, ready or not, 2004 is on its way!
We can't stop the world from turning and we can't slow down the changing of the years. What we can do, however, is to treasure God's promise to His children in Jeremiah 29:11 and know, without a shadow of doubt, that whatever lies ahead of us in 2004 and beyond, our loving Heavenly Father is unfolding His perfect plans for our lives and ultimately, those plans are very good.
There's a choice we have to make every time we step into another New Year. Very simply that choice is whether to be looking forward or whether to be looking back. When we choose to look forward to what lies ahead, we will always step out confidently. However when we choose to look back, our steps will be very hesitant. In the former we can see where we're going. In the latter, we aren't even watching where we’re going.
It doesn't matter whether we're looking back with longing or regret -- either way it's going to cause us to stumble. Again it's the fact that, good, bad or ugly, what's been has been and nothing is going to change that.
This doesn't mean that we can't store up all those truly wonderful moments from the year that's been and revisit them from time to time – in much the same way as we'd take out a family photo album and reminisce. After all, every precious memory is a gift. Amazingly enough, even some of those moments that have been far from pleasant, have most probably been used by God to help us grow in our Christian faith and maturity.
But we can't live in the memories and we can't live in the "if onlys". We can only live in today and prepare for tomorrow.
Knowing that God knows the plans He has for us and that they are plans to prosper us and not to harm us; plans to give us a hope and a future, we can step out in faith. In fact, we can step out with the same confidence as the Apostle Paul who wrote in Philippians 3, verses 14-15:
"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (New International Version)
As Christian men and women, we don't just wander into the New Year or slide unobtrusively into the 1st January. As God's dearly loved children, we strain, we reach, toward what is ahead and press on toward the goal to win the prize in Christ Jesus.
The New Living Translation actually words it as "I am focussing all my energies on this one thing."
We don't know what's ahead for the coming year, but let's focus all our energies on stepping out with confidence, certainty and faith that with God leading the way, we are always and forever drawing closer to the prize.
I just want to finish with the last four verses of a little "Gentle Breeze" poem I wrote at the end of 2000. I hope it encourages and blesses you as we come to the end of 2003.
This is what God gives to us
With every bright New Year
An untouched sheet to write upon
Though the future's still unclear.
As a child of God you'll find the Lord
Is waiting there for you,
With a plan and special purpose
Of new things for you to do.
Now take His hand with courage,
Walk into the great unknown.
As you shine your light for Jesus
You'll reap fruit for what you've sown.
So don't regret the things undone,
Don't hold tight to any stage.
As New Year's Eve comes to an end,
Just simply turn the page.
Let's pray.
Father God, thank You for the gift of each and every day, let alone each brand new Year. Lord, may we keep our eyes on the prize and strain forward to your plans and purposes for our lives. Dear Heavenly Father, bless each person listening to this prayer right now and their loved ones. May the year to come be a time of great joy, peace, health, fulfilment, prosperity and love for them all. When we come to the end of 2004, may we know that we have moved forward in You and have lived for Your glory throughout every minute of every day. Lord, let Your will be done in our lives and in our world as we surrender this New Year into Your holy hands. All this I ask in the precious Name of our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Happy New Year dear friends, from my family to yours -- with love!
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