To be honest, as midnight struck & people said 'Happy New Year!' my mind was screaming STOP, WAIT, REWIND PLEASE! I'm not done with 2023 - I'm not half the person I ought to be!
I'm not ready to go on.
I felt left behind and weary.
"The seasons march at Your command,
The old departs,
The new year comes."
(Selah)
Time zooms past or lingers painfully at the pace set by a sovereign, merciful God whose will and purposes are being fulfilled every passing minute.
The year won't slow down or expand to accommodate my agenda, but it does march steadily to the beat of its master drummer, conductor, composer.
Each year will not fail to accomplish His agenda. All the puzzle pieces, big and small, fall into place at exactly the right time.
His sweet sovereignty over all things gives me grace to hope and wait with courage for the fulfillment of His promises. I can face the daunting challenges, heartbreaks, and joys of the new year with gladsome expectation. "I will rest as Thou leadest me."
With a correct(ed) perspective, protest turns to praise.
His life in me will persist through sickness, sorrow, and suffering. His light will be proven in the shadows. No grief or loss will be greater than the grace of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. He exceeds all things and will exceed all griefs.
This year, I will set my hope on Jesus, again.
"So roll up your sleeves, get your head in the game, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.” (Inspired by 1 Peter:13-16, The MSG)
Welcome, 2024. As you march obediently forward, I will also march forward in the name, in the power, in the grace of our common Lord, Jesus Christ.
VERSE 1 This spinning world by Your own hand Hurls ever on around the sun The seasons march at Your command The old departs, the new year comes And though celestial is Your gaze You search and care for all our ways We offer up to You this day And all of our tomorrows
VERSE 2 May zealous youth and cautious age Determine not the steps we choose Great Shepherd, guide us through each day Oh, how we want to follow You Come Living Way, our way make clear Let perfect love drive out our fear Be Thou our vision, now and here And all of our tomorrows
VERSE 3 When winter makes us reminisce Of warmer days so distant now Of cherished saints the sun once kissed Whose beauty passed behind the clouds Let all our fond and longing tears Remind us we are pilgrims here We trust You, Sovereign of our years With all of our tomorrows
VERSE 4 Hands to the plow, we’re pressing on And running hard to win the prize Empowered by the love of God With grace before and grace behind For lo, what hope before us stands You finish all that You began Eternal joy is in Your hands And all of our tomorrows
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