This Sunday will be the last Sunday of 2018. As I look back I can see how the hand of God was working in my life in ways that I was unaware. As the year ends and 2019 begins people often reflect on the things come to their mind. Many begin to set resolutions because we all know something magical happens when the calendar flips from December to January. Just kidding… However, a new year does bring about new opportunities for us all if we are willing to take a hold of them. I recently saw this quote, “No one can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending” (Unknown). I really began to think about that statement. The conclusion was that we don’t start over; but we begin again right where we are, making things better in our lives.
As a believer in Christ, it is not about saying I will do this and I won’t do that and then dropping the idea or falling short. It is more about asking the Lord to help us each day, to fall deeper and deeper in love with Him. This way our focus will be set on the things of heaven and not on all this earthly stuff.
If I were to make a New Year resolution, it would be to have a deeper commitment, a deeper love, and a deeper worship for the Lord. In the beginning of this past year, He spoke to me in that still small voice in prayer and said, “I am more than enough. I am more than enough in every area of your life.” He also said to tell others the same thing.
This year I am determined to make Him my all and all. He wants our undivided attention in spite of the distractions and temptations that lie waiting around the corner. He has to be our main focus. How we will end this year will be determined by how we started it. Did we want to get more “INTIMATE” with the lover of our soul? I looked up the word intimacy and the meaning is to be close, familiar, very personal and private.
Do you want a new ending this year? How do you want the ending of your life? If you’re not a Christian, please know that this could be the best New Year of your life. Your life can be filled with hope and peace. To know what the ending will be is an extra bonus. Why should every year be the same as the one before with nothing really changing? After all, the New Year resolutions may or may not get accomplished.
If you are a Christian and you feel stagnant in your relationship with the Lord, then now is the time to rekindle the love affair with Him. He calls us to Himself and says, “Come away my beloved.” Can you hear Him? He is tugging at your heart. The real ending in our life will be when Jesus says well done my good and faithful servant. That statement will be for someone who took the time to get to know Him, love Him, and that obediently followed Him. I don’t know about you but I am looking forward to that moment. This Sunday at South Side we will unpack core truths that bring us renewal in 2019. Worship begins at 10:45, and we would love to have you come grow with us!
In Christ,
Barry Pettit
Lead Minister
South Side Church of Christ
www.southsidewch.com
