Isaiah 42:9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
What will the New Year hold? What awaits us in the days and months ahead? As we enter another New Year I would like to suggest several way of looking at it.
Looking backwards
Looking backwards may bring sorrow or joy over situations, circumstances in life
There may have been family problems, disease, death, disappointments, and discouraging events; there could be good health, family gathering, a marriage or a birth. But looking back often puts things into perspective.
What would we do over? What would be our priorities? Few of us can claim a faultless year, but we should not allow this to keep us from hoping for fewer faults this year. We should keep on in spite of past mistakes. A musician strives to do better; the artist’s best work is the next one. Failure is final only if we lose hope of improving.
Looking forward
Is future ahead of us or behind us? The American Indians & Hebrews see it different. The word for future is “backward” – we cannot see future but it is as if we are going blindly or backward. Will there be new opportunities? It’s impossible to retrieve the past. We cannot wish for a better past; we must look for new opportunities and make them better than what we missed – it depends upon us. Don’t cry over what you are not; consider what you may become. Fear of the unknown can keep us from our potential.
Look around us
Be always aware of opportunities, see needs of others around and always remember the “Prayer of Serenity”: God grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.
Don’t miss present opportunities – perhaps to be a witness to some lost soul; possible advancement in life – always keeps an eye out for God’s work in our life.
Look upward
God promises to be with us but it is conditional -- can two walk together? Amos 3:3. Will He go with us wherever we go and whatever manner of person we are?
Some things do not mix -- in natural and spiritual. Oil and water do not mix, neither will sinfulness and holiness. We must be conscious of our condition and need. Be honest – confess our need -- too often what we really want is to bring God down to our own level. God wants to bring us up to His level. God wants to redeem us. Christ became man for that purpose. Jesus came to redeem us, walk among us and help/enable us to be holy. God redeems us before He walks with us. Our sins must be remitted – there must be repentance on our part.
The greatest need for future is knowing our eternal destiny. We must be certain we have admitted our sin/condition, repent and allow God to change us. Then don’t forget to include God in all our plans.