As we begin a new year, I hope it is with deep gratitude to God, not only for the blessings of the past year but for the hope of new opportunities in which we may accomplish his purposes for us. It is so easy to get caught in a web of activities pertaining to our personal desires that we neglect the spiritual aspect of our lives.
In our celebration of the birth of our lord and savior, Jesus Christ, I hope he remains within our hearts and minds the Christmas vision--the vision of divine love reaching down to redeem us, not just to save us when we die but to touch our lives now with his love and mercy so that through our faith in his beloved son our sinful lives will be transformed and filled to over flowing with his love, mercy and forgiveness. A vision of hope for a world shaken to its foundation by the God-haters that despise any moral restraint and want to confine God and spiritual values to the churches or remove both from our national consciousness. Were it not for the infinite love and patience of God, we could look for his judgement to come upon us.
I can envision the church rising up with healing in its wings to become what our lord intended it should be. But it will not until each member re-consecrates him/herself unto Christ and the preaching of the gospel to the uttermost parts of the world. The one thing more than anything else that prevents this from happening is that too many professed Christians are "saved and satisfied." I suspect many people are going to wonder what happened when passed over in judgement because they confessed faith in Christ but had never loved nor served him. This is not to say we are saved by our works.
Beginning a new year should challenge us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and to give more of self in his service and service to others. We should never be content to live below the level of our potential. I have served my lord for 72 years, but I am not wanting to be turned out into the pasture as an old horse. Life is about loving and serving God and each other.