12/31/2023
Today is the last day of the year, and typically one in which we take stock of our accomplishments and failures over the past twelve months. This is also a time when we make plans for the coming year, and determine the condition of our present life. As we do so, do we have regrets that haunt us, and fears that give us tribulation as we look towards the coming New Year? Well, fear not, because our Lord uses what is past to prepare us for what lies ahead, and He helps us face today with a firm belief in His goodness and mercy.
“For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight, for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”
Isaiah 52:12 ESV
Our God doesn’t abandon us to the past, nor does he set snares for us in the future; He is with us now in mercy and grace and He uses our perception of time to perfect us in our faith and lives. On the other hand, Satan would like to mire us in the past and uses the present to remind us of our failures and to destroy the hope we have in the future. The greatest trap we face during our analysis of the past year is to feel that our failures and troubles have undone us. Past mistakes will serve to make us feel distraught and alone if we face them by ourselves. Instead, we should lean on God and trust in Him to forgive, teach, heal, and to lead us forward.
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
The greatest lessons in our lives come at the hands of our most disastrous failures and dire circumstances. When things are going well we are inclined to entrench ourselves and to become intransigent. When we are rooted in such a mindset, it is hard for us to be taught; we resist new things for fear of upsetting our contentedness. We are reluctant to change anything because it might mean experiencing pain or discomfort... even if there is a promise of great personal reward ahead.
I have worked for a healthcare company for the past 38 years, and they have been the most rewarding years of my life; not because of great financial success (although I have had some), but because of the personal reward that comes from helping others... from feeling like a servant to those in need.
Prior to joining the company where I now work, I had a very good position in aerospace manufacturing that paid me exceptionally well; I had wonderful benefits, many employees, and my future held great upside and promise. Yet despite these things, I felt unfulfilled, and thought I needed more. I didn’t need more money, power, or authority; I didn’t aspire to be the CEO, CIO, or such, although there was a time when those things had their allure. I needed to feel like I was making a difference in lives. As I faced this very personal shortcoming in my aerospace career, I realized that a change would mean less opportunity, less money, and fewer benefits. How could I, a husband and father, possibly make such a move, even though it would fill a void in me personally?
When change requires that we rock our boat it is very hard to make. In my career dilemma, I knew that I would be taking a financial and professional setback to move into a service oriented field, but I saw the reward in becoming a servant to those in need. I was struggling with the decision, but as I did so, my wife’s young nephew was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor that was choking off his airway. He was rushed to the hospital and a life or death struggle ensued. During those days of impending disaster, and constant fear of death, I learned that there was more to a career than financial reward, and when a job was offered to me at the company where I have worked all these years, I took it. Had our family not faced death in this health disaster, I can’t say with any certainty that I would have made the career change.
God directs our steps, and He uses our past failures and circumstances in preparing us for what lies ahead. Today is the last day of the year. Physically and cosmically speaking it is very much like any other day, but we use time to mark our lives, and today represents the end of one period of time, and the beginning of another.
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 ESV
Today we look back at where we have been for lessons that will determine how we should proceed forward in the coming year. We use the present to separate the past from the future and to assist us in improving what awaits us in the coming days. Don’t allow Satan to use our past failures to convict us, and imprison us in a future life of spiritual mediocrity or worse. Let’s look to God and know that through Jesus Christ we have been forgiven our sins, and by the effort of the Holy Spirit we are being taught understanding, and what is required of us today, and in the days ahead.
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”
John 16:13 ESV
Let’s give God free reign in our lives next year, and realize that He knows the beginning from the end, and that all things work together for good to those who love Him. He chooses to forgive us our past sins, and He chooses not to remember them. He walks with us today through every hard time, and He waits on us in every future day of our lives. Listen to His voice right now, and know that He is with us always. Let’s let His will for the coming year begin fresh in us, and do so with open ears as we listen to His voice directing us in the formation of a new plan for the year ahead.
“for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today!”
Psalms 95:7 NLT
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the past year, and in my thanks I include not only those good and wonderful things, but the failures, hardships, and sufferings, because in these you have taught me much, and increased my faith. Thank you Holy Father for bringing me to this point of reflection, and I ask you now to direct me in the coming year. Let your hand be upon me, and your peace be within me. Give me joy each day as I praise you in it! You guide my every step, and I pray that I never lose sight of how you mercifully lead me in all things... the difficult twisted paths, and the straight smooth ways alike. I thank you for being with me always; yesterday, today, and tomorrow that I might trust in you throughout eternity. Mighty Father, when Satan attempts to bind me to my failures, hear my voice as I say “get thee behind me Satan!”, and continue to lead me on in your goodness and grace. You are my strong tower and deliverer; just as I have in my past, and present, I place my future in your hands Lord, and trust in you always because you are true and good in all your ways. Praised be your Holy Name, and in all times and things I love and adore you.
Rich Forbes