December 31, 2020
by Pastor Chuck SwindollScriptures: Colossians 3:16–17
AN OLD YEAR HAS COMPLETED ITS COURSE. A new year is smiling at us, with twelve months of the unknown.
AN OLD YEAR HAS COMPLETED ITS COURSE. A new year is smiling at us, with
twelve months of the unknown. I feel like we're sitting on the beach, an
entire ocean of possibilities, including both sun-drenched days and a few
storms with howling winds and giant waves, stretched out across the
uncharted waters. If you and I let ourselves, we could become so afraid of
the potential dangers that we would miss the adventure.
Becoming a couch potato is an option. You'd look toward the horizon,
entertain a few thoughts that start with "Someday . . ." but then lean back
and just keep looking and longing. Hawaii would never have been discovered
had everyone chosen to sit tight and stay with a sure thing.
Sandwiched between January 1 and December 31 are twelve exciting yet
unlived months of opportunities. Challenges brought on by changes await us.
We will be shoved out of our comfort zones and required to respond. We can
do so positively or negatively, with optimism or with pessimism. Even the
familiar beach we have gotten used to is in for some changes, forcing us to
leave our "spot" and accept new surroundings. If you're not careful, you'll
be so preoccupied with complaining, you'll miss your golden moment to grow
a little . . . to make some new discoveries . . . to switch from being a
passive sitter on the beach to becoming an active participant in the
adventure beyond the familiar.
Let this truth be your formula for launching into a New Year tomorrow:
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach
and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or
say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him
to God the Father.
COLOSSIANS 3:16–17
How's that for a game plan for your life this coming year? It's all
there—your mission? The message of Christ. Your ministry? Encouraging
others. Your mind-set? Thankfulness. Your motive? Serving Jesus and
bringing glory to God the Father.
Go strong in grace and gratitude.