How about that.
Another new year has arrived and with it the prospects of new challenges and great opportunities down every path we walk!
Let me remind you of this, regardless of what is going on around us in the world, God has always been in control. In all of the future, He will remain in control, and we have no real reason to fear anything in this New Year that is presented to us.
Having said that, it is interesting to note that, in the past, there have been certain new years that came around during which there were some unscrupulous people waiting to promote a lot of fear. Their plans appeared to be gaining money off those who could be so easily taken advantage of, and they very craftily used the emotion of fear on them. By the way, fear is also a favorite tool of Satan.
A couple of examples for you.......
Remember the year 2000?
Because of the projection of mass computer failures, world chaos was predicted. We were told that most likely bombs were going to explode, food might not be available to purchase, and the total collapse of the country would be looming. There was also the possibility that Jesus was going to come back.
Lots of generators, storable foods, books, guns, and survival equipment were sold as many churches started survival training meetings. Several preachers got their reputations boosted and financial accounts fattened, and doomsday proclaimers had more than just a little time in the public eye.
Well, the world didn't end, Jesus didn't come back, and no explosions happened. Today, I know some people who are still embarrassed by their behavior at that time.
The year 2000 hoopla was just one event among many others from our past.
Here is another one…..
Does anyone remember 1984? The new year at that time was a doozy also. ( yep, some of you were very young)
All the planets were supposed to line up on one side of the Sun and the earth’s oceans were going to flood all over it. Gravitational forces from the lined up planets were going to tear the earth apart, and lots of excitement and fear were promoted as many preachers jumped on the bandwagon. Reputations were inflated (as were bank accounts) and many books proclaiming the earth’s demise were sold then too.
Doomsday was said to be coming.......but it didn't.
In this new year of 2012, we have a new sensational story and the haymakers are at it again with the Mayan calendar situation. Many are saying that the calendar predicts the end of the world in December 2012.
The truth is, the Mayan calendar does not predict anything; it just stops at the end of 2012.
What does this mean.....?
I can see it all now........
The guys working on the Mayan calendar were very diligent in their actions------- keeping it up
day after day until eventually the lead calendar maker says to his assistant,
"Listen, I just ran out of the material that I need in order to continue working on this
calendar. Run on over to the supply shack, and pick up the items on this list."
"Sorry Boss, I was over there just a little while ago and they are clean out of all this
stuff. It seems that it is going to be a while before anymore of this kind of material is
available to us."
"Well, okay......
You know, this calendar already goes past the year 2000. Finishing it up right
here will be just fine, and if anyone wants to add more in the future, then they can
work on it later."
"That sounds like a good plan to me, Boss!"
So then......... the Mayan calendar stops at the year 2012 ......... big deal......
Why would any realistically thinking person say that this predicts the end of the world unless some ulterior motives were involved one way or the other?
Now, to be fair about it, I don't know that the Mayan calendar ended the way that I depicted in my little story, but how do we know that it did not? And if God does choose to end the world this year, won't it be cool for us to be in heaven? So what is the scary part of that?
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Some look at the New Year as a means of sensationalism, and then there are others that take a new year as a time to make resolutions.
I tend to like Calvin's approach:
At least it's fun to think about..............
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I guess what really matters in the long run is, how do you personally see 2012?
Is it:
.... A relief from the events of 2011?
.... Another year closer to Christ's return?
.... A new, fresh, exciting adventure coming?
Personally, I like the way that the ancient Hebrew calendar presented the New Year. To grasp my point, we need to understand more about their ancient calendar. However, the Hebrew method of counting days and seasons are not the subject of this talk. There are a lot of complex issues with the feasts, new moons, occasional 13th months, and all the constant adjustments made to the calendar for fitting it into the solar year.
For my purposes at this time though, it is enough for us just to know that the Hebrew year always started in the spring.
I love the visual picture of starting my year when the new growth appears and green grass is showing itself everywhere. Beautiful birds are singing and the earth is warming again. The dead looking trees put out small buds and take on the appearance of giving out new life, while flowers of brilliant colors push their way out of the cold ground (the crocus and tulips are two of my favorites!).
I would like to have these picturesque surroundings as I start into my new year because I have learned that I am very influenced visually by my surroundings. It is difficult for me to stay excited with new ideas and goals while I feel the coldness and see the dead look of nature all around me (friends and co-workers excepted, of course).
However........
...........regardless of when the new year comes, the starting out of a new year with reachable and exciting goals is an excellent way to begin! I have found that entering the New Year with high hopes while looking at something else other than my normal surroundings has helped me to accomplish much more than I normally would.
Consider these Bible verses:
Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
When I keep my visual perspective turned toward the loving presence of the Lord, it makes all the other things in the world situate themselves in the right frame of reference in my life. Not only that, but I also do find the warmth, freshness, and encouragement to pursue any goal for the year that the Lord puts before me.
Going Deeper
Where are your eyes focused when it concerns your career and relationships for this year?
What are you looking at when it comes to your marriage?
And what about your children……..what are you looking at to guide you in dealing with them?
Self help books?
Counselors?
Jesus?
It doesn't just happen, you know. We have to on purpose look at Jesus when it comes to our lives..... but then, what does that really mean?
When I look to Jesus with my heart and mind, I am acknowledging Him and willingly giving way to His direction in my life. I am also inviting Him to tell me what to do in every decision that I need to make, and looking at Him in this way is also a statement that I will obey whatever He says to me.
So, what do you need help with this year?
Finances?
Family?
Career?
Children?
Ministry?
If so, then we need to focus our eyes on Jesus this year……we can’t help but be the winners as we do so.
Another new year is here, so…… what'cha lookin' at?
Remember, we really don't have to make it up as we go.....
May this be the best year of your life as you keep your eyes upon Him!
Humbly submitted,
Dan
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