The last day of
2012. What is to be done? Family time, celebrations, fireworks, shopping or
some other year-end festivity.
2012. What is to be done? Family time, celebrations, fireworks, shopping or
some other year-end festivity.
The day dawned with
bright sunshine and a crisp 31 degrees at our house. The house was quiet until
my grandson, Grant awoke. He had spent last night with us, since this would be
his last holiday before returning to daycare and learning activities with other
children.
bright sunshine and a crisp 31 degrees at our house. The house was quiet until
my grandson, Grant awoke. He had spent last night with us, since this would be
his last holiday before returning to daycare and learning activities with other
children.
The last day of the
year is the ubiquitous “review day.” Yet, serious thinking about what
we do each and every day never seems to be important until now. We don’t think
about reading the news headlines, or how much coffee we drink, or the myriad of
things that make up our days during the year. And we — at least most of us —
don’t consider that each of these unexamined days form the fabric of our lives.
year is the ubiquitous “review day.” Yet, serious thinking about what
we do each and every day never seems to be important until now. We don’t think
about reading the news headlines, or how much coffee we drink, or the myriad of
things that make up our days during the year. And we — at least most of us —
don’t consider that each of these unexamined days form the fabric of our lives.
Of course, most
people naturally know that life is not to be lived in a flippant manner. We
live according to plans and purpose. Even if we do not actually sit down and
intentionally think about the purpose for which we live, it can be seen in our
daily actions and our bank account transactions and our relationships. What do
we believe? What is important to us? To whom are we committed? Such elements of
life may never be written down in our journals, but the is evidence is right
there in our lives for discerning, interested individuals to review.
people naturally know that life is not to be lived in a flippant manner. We
live according to plans and purpose. Even if we do not actually sit down and
intentionally think about the purpose for which we live, it can be seen in our
daily actions and our bank account transactions and our relationships. What do
we believe? What is important to us? To whom are we committed? Such elements of
life may never be written down in our journals, but the is evidence is right
there in our lives for discerning, interested individuals to review.
The point of all
this? On this last day of 2012, most of us will make no changes to our normal
routines. we will most likely do the same things we have done all the other 364
days of this year. And, to some degree, that is very good because it shows to us
that we are happy with our lives and are already doing what we are supposed to
be doing in life, so no change is necessary.
this? On this last day of 2012, most of us will make no changes to our normal
routines. we will most likely do the same things we have done all the other 364
days of this year. And, to some degree, that is very good because it shows to us
that we are happy with our lives and are already doing what we are supposed to
be doing in life, so no change is necessary.
We can spend this
day in comfort and confidence, knowing that God is still on his throne and his
plan and purpose is on schedule. “Then sings my soul, my Savior God to
thee. How great thou art . . . how great thou art.”
day in comfort and confidence, knowing that God is still on his throne and his
plan and purpose is on schedule. “Then sings my soul, my Savior God to
thee. How great thou art . . . how great thou art.”
And while the world
spends the last minutes of this day in awe of community fireworks displays, we
can spend those same minutes on our knees before our magnificient, holy God and
Savior, praising him and thanking him for his manifold blessings during this
year. And we will commit the New Year and all its days to the Only Wise Eternal
God who will walk every step with us in 2013.
spends the last minutes of this day in awe of community fireworks displays, we
can spend those same minutes on our knees before our magnificient, holy God and
Savior, praising him and thanking him for his manifold blessings during this
year. And we will commit the New Year and all its days to the Only Wise Eternal
God who will walk every step with us in 2013.
Dear Father, our
hearts are overwhelmed with your grace and mercy and blessings shown to us this
2012 year. We commit all its sorrows and victories into your safekeeping.
Empower us to live 2013 in the light and life of your Son, Jesus Christ. This I
pray in the name of him who takes away the sin of the world. AMEN
hearts are overwhelmed with your grace and mercy and blessings shown to us this
2012 year. We commit all its sorrows and victories into your safekeeping.
Empower us to live 2013 in the light and life of your Son, Jesus Christ. This I
pray in the name of him who takes away the sin of the world. AMEN
Be strong and
courageous today as you review life,
courageous today as you review life,