As a new year unfolds, it is a great time to reflect and to plan. It is always good to remember and learn from what the current year has taught, but also good to think about what the next year holds. As you look backwards and forward, here are four things that have encouraged me and that, I pray, encourage you as well.
First, strive to shine brightly. Jesus said that we are to let our light so shine before others that they might see our good deeds and give glory to God. What does it mean to shine brightly? I think the Apostle Paul said it best when he said Christians are to live as mirrors that reflect the glory of God. We shine brightly when we properly reflect Jesus in the world. This year and next, shine and shine brightly. Let others see Jesus in you and hear Jesus from you. Live as a beautiful and radiant reflection of Jesus Christ.
Second, strive to work faithfully. Jesus said, “With the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” In other words, we get out of things what we put into them. Think about a farmer. No crops magically grow. A farmer who labors hard and well can expect to reap the benefit from his work. The same is true in the Christian life. As we work for the Lord, we can be sure that He will allow us to reap the fruit of our labor in the proper time. We may not always see the reward of our efforts in this life, but we know that eternity will reveal the impact we had. As we work faithfully for the Lord, we can be sure we are storing up treasure in heaven.
Third, strive to wait patiently. In God’s Kingdom work, there should be both urgency and patience. Urgency and patience are not enemies, but rather friends, and are both needed in theChristian life. Jesus used a parable to express this truth. He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
I love this parable. The farmer urgently and faithfully works the ground and scatters the seed, but is dependent on other things to make the seed grow, things beyond his control. Likewise, in the Christian life, God asks us to do our part and then we rest in Him to do His part. As we shine brightly and work faithfully, we must also wait patiently, knowing that God is in charge of all things and accomplishes His purposes in His time. May we never forget that yes, we must work, but we also must wait.
Finally, strive to live confidently. Above all, we need to remember this: God has everything and everyone in the entire universe in the palm of His hand. If we are trusting God with our eternal salvation, shouldn’t we be able to trust Him with the daily issues of our lives? This year and next year, trust the Lord, and if you genuinely do that, you will live with a deep confidence in the Lord. You will not be able to control much of what happens in your life, but you can control your response. Rest in the Lord and walk confidently knowing He is in control.
Take some time this week to look backwards and forward, and as you do, strive to do these four things. Make this year your best year yet.
See you next week!
