Each year, I try to take some time around the New Year to reflect on the previous year, and hopes for the year to come.  With no close second, this past year was the most difficult I have ever been through.  The beginning of the year brought a lot of loss, a lot of pain; yet “The Lord is near to brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Ps 34:18)  I wish that transformation and change took place apart from adversity, but that has not been my experience.  “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Rom 8:28-29) 

This is not to diminish anyone’s pain, but to bring encouragement amidst pain, that because of Jesus, God is with you, and for you.  He may not give you what you want, but He will always give you what will give you what you need; that is, He will always do whatever is necessary to draw your heart closer to His, and remind you of who you are through Christ.  In Christ, there is always purpose in the pain, and who we are becoming in Christ is greater than the old self we are leaving behind and putting to death.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)  

So as God has provided for us a New Year, be reminded that in Christ we are a new creation.  Apart from Christ, we perish, but in Christ we have an eternal and living hope.  We have an inheritance in Him that shines Truth into our now, illuminating the steps of our life with the perspective of eternity and the perfect righteousness of Christ that is ours.  “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.””  

The Lord is good.  His love and mercies may not always look like hugs; sometimes His love is a stick, to in love bring us to ourselves.  “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.  For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”  In every way, in every season, the Lord is always with you and for you.  This New Year, each new day is an opportunity to press into the Lord where Truth and Joy can be found.  Wherever this past year has brought you, wherever you are today, we are all equals in our opportunity to enjoy God and our secure hope in Christ today.  “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  That is my prayer for myself, and for all of you, that we would be humble people of God, being transparent and living in the light of our salvation through Jesus, continually pressing forwards towards Christ, and encouraging one another along the way.  May God grant that to us all this year, and give us a thirst for righteousness and Him, and joy in Himself amidst whatever this new year will bring.

Grace and Peace,

Adam