Happy Eve before New Year’s Eve!
It has been quite some time since I took pen to paper and
jotted down some thoughts. However, I believe it may be time to return …
Ironic since this is the time of year when all are tasked
with looking forward and moving forward – full of eager expectation over all
that the New Year may hold.
Yet, sometimes, those new beginnings that we have all
desired at one time or another require a return – a looking back and a re-visit
to the things we did first.
In speaking to the Church in Ephesus in the book of
Revelation [1:2-4], Christ acknowledges the deeds and hard work and perseverance of the
church. Yet He holds one charge against them, “You
have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen!
Repent and do the things you did at first.”
This message is for me if it does not apply to another
single soul. Yet oddly, it does not fill me with sadness. It ignites that spark of hope that what once was can be recaptured … serving as a catalyst for
new growth and experiences. So, in this season of looking forward, my personal
charge is to …
Turn Back … Go Back …Begin
Again!
That is the beauty of grace! It does not give us excuse to
falter but stands steady, unshakeable and embracing when we do. There is no
condemnation for them who are in Christ Jesus. [Rom. 8:1] And we know
… in
all things …. God works for the good of those who love Him who have
been called according to His purpose. [Rom. 8:28]
For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed
to the likeness of His Son. [Rom. 8:29]
When He ascended that hill at Calvary, where He would
sacrificially surrender Himself so that we could be reconciled with the Father,
He was already in 2016 – seeing all, knowing all, and having an overwhelming
love for each of us individually which prompted Him still, despite all we would do or fail to do, to give His all. Victory
has been secured! It can never be robbed again …
Revelation is the last book in the Bible. Yet, it is a book
of encouragement, hope and victory. It is actually the only book in the Bible
which notes that the reader will be blessed just for having read it – with more
blessings to follow for those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it.
[Rev. 1:3]
For many, it feels like their individual story has come to
its end. It appears that too much has transpired, the fall has been too great, the
stumbling too repeated, the time much too short. But that is simply not true!
The King is seated in heavenly places! He will never leave
you or forsake you. [Heb. 13:5] He cannot be dethroned. He will never fall from His throne.
There is not one instance that has caught Him unaware. His desires for me are
greater than those I hold for myself. And His plans are good plans – to give us
a hope and future. [Jer. 29:11] He is the God who is expert
at creating works of beauty out of dusty, dirty, crumbled and shattered
situations and circumstances. And this is our confidence – as long as we have
Christ dwelling on the inside – we have everything we need … and
we have everything we need to
begin again.
Turn Back … Go Back …Begin
Again!
Looking forward to a phenomenal 2017 … with you!
Be Blessed!
