Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. . . .
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the man who carries out evil devices!
Psalm 37:5, 7
Here’s the good news: we finally made it out of 2021! But now here’s the reality ahead of us: now we’ve got to live 2022 to the glory of God! How are you going to do that? Let me suggest the place to begin is Col 3:2, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Surely we’ve had our fill of preoccupation with “things that are on earth” this past year. And it has come with lots of “fretting” about what people say and do just as Psalm 37:7 warns. Our minds have been distracted with concerns over what this party or that movement may be up to and where it may lead. But setting our minds on these things has not made us one bit happier, holier or more in love with Christ. If anything, just the opposite. By fixing our attention on the rumblings of this world, we have easily lost sight of Christ!
So let me urge you to begin this New Year with a clear determination to “seek the things above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” as Col 3:1 commands. How do you do that? Let me suggest Three Things for a Happier, Holier, Christ-centered New Year:
(1) Turn your attention away from the clamor of this world. Take time off from Facebook, Youtube, Newsfeeds, etc and focus on knowing Christ.
(2) Re-focus on the priority of drawing near to Christ daily through word and prayer! Nothing will do your soul better in the new year than daily time with Him where He speaks through His word and you respond with prayer.
(3) Consciously seek to practice love in action by the way you serve those around you, especially your “enemies” (Lk 6:27) but also your friends.
He calls us to be His servants who walk with Him!
Pastor Scott Lee
PS – Why not begin the new year by joining with others for prayer here each Wednesday at 7 PM