1. We live a “ful” life
As we stand at the brink of a new year, let us remember three Biblical attitudes of our Christian life. Our Christian life is a “ful” life. When we look at our past, be thankful to God for being there with us through the ups and downs. When we look at the present, be joyful as our security does not depend on our happenings but on our God who holds us securely. When we look forward, be hopeful as we have a God who always goes before us and will be with us; He will never leave us nor forsake us. We are not afraid; we are not discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8). In the Bible, hope means “a confident expectation of good”. We can expect good because our God is good and what He does is good (Psalm 119:68).
2. New Year’s resolutions
Some of us may have made new year resolutions for 2012. We bid the end of 2011 and welcome the beginning of 2012 hoping that we can leave the unpleasant events of the past year and have a fresh start . Despite our best of intentions, we often find that we make new year’s resolutions only to soon break them. But that does not mean we don’t need necessary endings and new beginnings. Each year gives us a chance for new beginnings. But if we break our resolutions, does it mean we need to wait till 1 January 2013 to start again? Let me tell you the good news. Each week can be a new beginning. Every Sunday can be a new beginning since it is the day we remember Christ rose from the dead to give us a new beginning. Better still, every day is a new beginning. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us that God’s mercies are new every morning.
That’s why we don’t wait for new year’s eve to end something and start a new thing on new year’s day. Instead, we learn to trust God daily. We put an end to what hurts us and which holds us back from becoming what God wants us to be. We forget the past and reach out for what God has for us in the future (Philippians 3:13)
3. Share your reflections and bless us
Since we are starting a new year, I decided that instead of sharing my thoughts with you, it will be more helpful if you did some reflection on your own and share your reflections with all our readers. You can use the ‘ Comments ‘ section of my blog to share your thoughts. It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). So feel free to share with us to bless us.
4. What is your Egypt?
For a start, reflect on the theme, “Necessary Endings & New Beginnings” . Please read Exodus chapters 14, 15 & 16. As you read chapter 14, reflect on what God said in the last sentence of Exodus 14:13. In these words He taught His chosen people about what they needed to end in their minds. They needed to get Egypt out of their minds. As you apply this truth to your life, ask yourself this question, “What is the Egypt I need to get rid of in my mind?”
5. Who do you trust?
Then as Exodus 14 ends, God taught them to have a new beginning which is to live a life based on trusting God alone ( Exodus 14:31). God showed them that in this fallen world, there will be troubles. But if they trust Him in their troubles, they will discover that He will come through for them. That was why God allowed them to go through the ‘ bitter waters experience’ in Exodus 15:22-27 so that they can learn to trust Him in every situation. Although they started with bitter waters , they would end on a sweet note. Are you wading in bitter waters? God is your healer and will turn your bitterness into sweetness.
In Exodus 16, God taught them that they needed to trust Him daily to provide for them. They are not to depend on human abilities but to rely on God’s ability to provide for them. They need not fear that they won’t have enough because they were not competent enough. God showed them that those who gathered much did not have too much, and those who gathered little did not have too little. Each one gathered as much as he needed (Exodus 16:18). God is your best equaliser when the odds are against you.
