Every year has a beginning and an end. As we approach a new year it is easy to sense the excitement and anticipation of what the coming year will hold as you meet with and talk to people. All of the plans and dreams of what could happen fill our minds and encourage us to press on toward our new found (or old) goals. Celebrating a new year in January means that we can all come together and encourage each other during some of the coldest and gloomy days of the year. I know that New Years and all the other holidays are made by men but I think it is just like God to put those plans in their hearts. Now, I don’t want you to think we should be down and sad like a lot of people; especially if we believe and follow the words of scripture. Psalm 146:5 reads “Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God”. Why would we be happy when all around us is gloom and doom?
Well, again if we believe scripture, we have a reward waiting for at the end of our lives which will make anything on this earth pale in comparison. I think that if we really see what is to come, we will be content just as Paul was, to go through any hard times if it means being closer to God or bringing others close to him. Of course our lives should not be all hard times and bad experiences and our attitude should not be those either. In my church growing up, the pastor had an expression he would use to illustrate what some people do in response to difficulty or trials. It went something like this.
People who are going through hard times or trials will often times get a poor attitude and it will show on their faces and in their lives. A man will sit in his chair, arms crossed, lips puckered up and grumbling, “I’m just suffering for Jesus”.
This is not the mind set we should have a brothers and sisters in Christ. Yes, we will have trouble in this life, that much is promised. But during those times we should look to our help and provider to see us through and see them as an opportunity to grow rather than punishment (James 1). So as your New Years resolutions are hopefully in full swing and the coming years looks bright and full of promise, keep in mind these truths and when trials come be encouraged that no matter what happens it will be worth it. “We win in the end!”