Tag Archives: year

The End

The End

When we read a bedtime storybook to our children, they tend to enjoy the final two words: The End. And we enjoy those two words, too, if we are truly honest with ourselves. We can go to sleep ourselves at that point or move on with the rest of our evening then. What is it about reaching the end of something that can be so satisfying? Maybe it is the feeling that a job has been accomplished, a period of difficulty is over or a time of waiting is done.

As we say The End to the year 2022, some or all of these reasons for satisfaction may apply. But probably for most of us, coming to the end of a year is hard because it means that time is moving on and our age is increasing.

If we take a step back as Christians, it is important for us to remember that the end of a year is only a foreshadowing of the end of time when Christ will come on the Last Day to take all believers to heaven with him. He will take us to a place where there will be no end. There will only be peace, love and joy forevermore. Come, Lord Jesus, come, and bring an end to every sin and suffering and strife. How satisfying that will be. Amen.

A Three-Year Plan

ministry

Jesus began his formal ministry when he was 30 years old and continued that ministry to its culmination three years later in his death and resurrection. “Why only three years?” we may wonder. And we may never truly know the answer until we are with Jesus in heaven.

Suffice it to say that Jesus knew when the time was right for the events of his ministry and God’s plan of salvation to take place. There were moments when Jesus said, “My time has not yet come” (John 7:6). He also knew when it was time to move forward, as when he instructed his disciples to prepare the Last Supper with the words, “My time is at hand” (Matthew 26:18).

The Gospels detail the many healings and miracles, teachings and travels that took place in Jesus’ ministry. But they also make mention of the time Jesus took to be away by himself and pray. We all remember the account of Jesus sleeping in the boat, even during a storm. It was not always go, go, go with Jesus. He made sure to take it slow sometimes and rest. We all need that in our own ministries as his disciples.

We cannot be everything to everybody and we are not Energizer Bunnies. We are human beings, just as Jesus was, who need balance between hard work and rest. Jesus himself did not visit every town and village on earth during his ministry and he certainly did not heal every sick person alive then. So we should not expect to do it all in our ministries either.

In business, employees are often asked, “What do you see as your 5-year plan?” For some, the answer is simple: Do more of the same. For others, it is to keep growing and learning. For us as Christians, it is a little of both. We continue in his Word as we have been doing AND we grow to know Christ more. And it doesn’t matter how long that takes: three years, five years, ten years, a lifetime. God will show us when the time is right to carry out the particular plan he has in place for us. So live in God’s ministry time and be blessed.

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

looking back

2020 is coming to an end, and some would say not a day too soon. In many very dramatic ways, the year was like none other than we have experienced before and it was not at all what we expected for the most part.

Looking back on what has happened this year, we grieve with those who lost loved ones and lost jobs due to COVID, we thank health care workers who treated the sick and dying, we give thanks for those who have recovered from COVID. As the Bible says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). In addition, we sorrow over the civil unrest that occurred and pray for resolution to racial strife. As the Bible says, “Live in harmony with one another” (Romans 12:16). That should always be our goal.

Looking ahead to 2021 gives us a chance to have hope as the introduction of COVID vaccines comes to pass. We look ahead with joy as the promise of healing is on the horizon. We look ahead to peace in the days ahead now that we have celebrated that the Prince of Peace has come. The new year helps us to gain a new perspective on our lives. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we are reminded that “if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Every day we are made new in Christ, and that is the blessing that can carry us forward with confidence into the unknown circumstances that await us in the weeks and months ahead.

As you look back and look forward this New Year’s, always remember to look up to God for the help and guidance you need each and every day. He always has his eye on you.

Before We Begin

before we beginIn these early days of the new year, it is good for us to remember what we are called to do before we begin events or journeys of any kind in life. Martin Luther suggested that the first thing we do before beginning our day is to make the sign of the cross. Like we do in worship, it is good for us to begin our day, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” And it is always a good thing to begin a new day with prayer. Many church traditions have even established times for more formalized morning prayer services.

Beyond the beginning of each new day, it is important to begin each meal with prayer and begin each night’s sleep with an evening prayer. I remember my dad having a prayer with the whole family in the car as we started on each summer vacation.

As we start on this new year and go about our new as well as our regular routines, it is good practice to stop for a moment before we embark on each endeavor, and say to ourselves, “Before we begin, let us pray, let us praise, let us give thanks to our God who has brought us to this moment to take part in this activity, event, job, meeting, meal, day, vacation” or whatever it may be.

I am reminded of this hymn:

With the Lord begin your task;
Jesus will direct it.
For his aid and counsel ask;
Jesus will perfect it.
Ev’ry morn with Jesus rise,
And when day is ended,
In his name then close your eyes;
Be to him commended.

Let each day begin with prayer,
Praise, and adoration.
On the Lord cast ev’ry care;
He is your salvation.
Morning, evening, and at night
Jesus will be near you,
Save you from the tempter’s might,
With his presence cheer you.

Keep these thoughts and words in mind each day of this new year, and remember, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).