A Closer Walk
Thanksgiving is past. Christmas is over. A new year is right before us. A new year always seems to offer a fresh start. Wipe the slate clean. Turn the page to a new chapter. Each of us writes a new chapter every year. Have you ever thought about that? Every year each and every one of us has the opportunity to write a completely new chapter. And we get to decide what that chapter is about and what it says.
Things will come our way that we expect, and some we don't expect. The latter includes things we didn't plan on or expect, or even hope for. That probably shouldn't surprise us. After all, we no longer reside in the Garden of Eden. We are required to provide for ourselves and take care of ourselves. Anyone ever seen any of the Indiana Jones movies? The entire movie is about the unexpected things that happen to or cross the path of Mr. Jones. He is trying to accomplish something, or to get somewhere, but he is always beset by troubles and trials. There always seems to be another river to cross, another hill or mountain to climb, another enemy to run from or escape from. And what is this type of movie classified as? An adventure movie. Every Indiana Jones movie is an adventure. Or more accurately, a series of adventures. Indie's adventures are what make those movies exciting and interesting.
Our own lives can be adventurous and exciting, also. Do we look at the coming days with hope and a sense of excitement? We are about to turn the page and begin writing a new chapter of our lives. We do not know what the future holds or when that future will happen. Just like Indiana Jones. Isn't that exciting? Something too look forward to?
This is also a time to begin afresh with our Lord and our God. If we have sins we have not confessed now would be a good time to wipe the slate clean. To come humbly before the Throne Of Grace and confess. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us,” 1 John 1:7-10 NKJV. If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. Further ,He will not only forgive our sins, he will also cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Now that is a way to start afresh. To wipe the slate clean. To turn the page and start a new chapter.
How about instead of looking at a year coming to an end and never returning, we look forward to a new year? A new beginning. A good time to get right with our God. A good time to start over. A time to begin a new beginning. Our God has promised he will not forsake us. “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 NKJV. God Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Whatever this new year may hold for us, God is already there. Whatever the days to come might bring our Lord has allowed it or brought it. And He will never leave us nor forsake us.
“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives! God sent His son, they called Him Jesus; He came to love, heal and forgive; He lived and died to buy my pardon, An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives! How sweet to hold a newborn baby, And feel the pride and joy he gives; But greater still the calm assurance: This child can face uncertain days because He Lives! And then one day, I'll cross the river, I'll fight life's final war with pain; And then, as death gives way to victory, I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives! Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!” Three verses and the chorus twice from “Because He Lives,” words and music by Bill, born 1936, and Gloria Gaither, born 1942, both still serving our Lord.