New Year

Scripture: So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

We stand on the brink of a new year. Many will look at it as a year full of pain and disappointment. Others may see it as another opportunity for blessings. Either way the year will proceed and it will be full of opportunity.

So many times we can easily get caught up in the circumstances surrounding our lives and the trauma, tragedy, and pain will encompass us and we will reflect on a year and say, “Man, I hope next year will be better than last year.” I myself have actually said, “I am due for something good to happen.” Something I have come to understand is that we can’t live for the next best thing, because it may not happen and then what?

In the next few months more people will commit suicide than any other time of the year. Why? Because they have told themselves that the New Year will be better and when it is not they decide to end their life. More people die from suicide than die from homicide every year. Someone will kill himself or herself as often as 1 every 17 minutes. What a scary thought! Someone has lost all hope right now as I type this. The question I pose is: are we that far from that desperate place without Christ? I don’t think so.

As a matter of fact you better be careful that your enemy hasn’t convinced you that your hope lies in a better job, a bigger home, more money, a new husband, a different city, the ticket you bought at the convenience store this afternoon (no slam intended everyone dreams about what they would do if they hit the lottery). If you have thought to yourself maybe this year will be better, then you better stop and consider what the bible says about hope and joy. We cannot set our hope on those things that are right in front of us, or on the other hand what might happen. We have to have hope no matter what happens. Our joy comes from a relationship with Jesus, not what might happen in the next few days.

I hope that you will stop looking for the next best thing and turn your focus to the only thing that will give you true hope, peace and joy in the New Year, Jesus Christ. Oh and make it your mission in 2008 to introduce someone else to your source of hope.

Leslie Stephens
Winchester, TN

Prayer: Almighty God, teach me to set my mind on things above and not on earthly things. I want to be prepared to share with everyone the reason for my hope in Christ. Amen!

Prayer Tip: Journal. Write down your thoughts, feelings, and epiphanies during your prayer time. Go back later and reflect on what you wrote. Writing things down helps you track God at work in your life.

January 3, 2008