A Reflection, A Glimpse, and A Hope

 

A Reflection, A Glimpse, and A Hope

 

This time of year, is commonly a time of reflection and of goal setting, or trying to get a glimpse into our future.   We review the past 12 months, we determine our wins and where we didn’t do so well. We evaluate what we can do better through the next 12 months. Then we make a plan for future success. At least that is the idea and our hope.

 

It is hard to believe 20 years ago was 1999 and we were worried about the “Y2K Bug” The idea of a new millennium the whole idea of entering the year 2000 was strange. We spent 1999 with both concerns and also excitedly planning where we would be to ring in the special year ahead.

 

 

Reflecting Christmas Melancholy

 

There seems to be this two-week period, a gap of sorts. A final week of one year and the first week on the next. The end of something old and the beginning of something new. For me it always brings some very mixed emotions. On one hand I seem to have a bit of melancholy that comes with the time of reflection after Christmas. Even after a great Christmas, it almost feels like I missed something. On the other hand, a new year is before me. A new beginning with fresh possibilities.

 

I often feel like Christmas came and went to fast – Now what? This year I stopped in this feeling and I spent some time thinking and praying about it. Here is what I have realized and remembered.

 

A Time of Hope

 

Christmas is not only a time of remembrance. It is also a time for expectant hope. We celebrate the birth of our Savior on Christmas day. Certainly, something worthy of celebration, praise, and honor. We often are so distracting by the remembrance that we miss that it is also a taste of our hope of the return of Christ.

 

In so many ways hope is built up during the Christmas season. Then Christmas is over and I am still waiting with an expectant hope. Wanting more than only a taste. A reminder that my hope is not in this temporary world. While Christmas helps me remember that my hope is in Jesus, it can’t fulfill the hope.

 

When Christ does return and we are forever in His presence we will praise Him forever. Then our hope will be fulfilled and we will be overcome with joy eternal. Nothing but His presence in eternity can fill this hope. Therefore, I expect that I will always experience some melancholy, a little disappointment, in the hope unfilled. Still I will wait upon the Lord.

 

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

 

New Beginnings – New Hope

 

I’m the type of person who would be lost without a day planner, and I love starting a new year by setting up a new planner. However, I am not huge on big goals set in stone. I tend to focus more on creating new habits and checking my attitude and motives. I’ve nothing against solid track able goal setting although, when I’ve tried it has turned into a disaster. Maybe I was just not in tune with God’s plan for that year. And I’m not saying I’ll never try it again.

 

This year God has placed a couple of new beginnings on my heart. Both of which I am a bit scared and yet excited about.

 

Word for the Year

 

At the end of the last 3 years I have spent time in pray asking God for my “word” for the new year and nothing ever came of it. This year He has given me a word “courage”. This may turn into a case of “watch what you wish for”. With courage as my word I am a little worried about what 2019 holds for me. Still I will trust in His faithfulness.

 

When doing a quick word search I found a verse that really spoke to me. I feel that I’ll understand even better the why even better in 12 months.

 

“Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the Lord do that which is good in his sight”

1 Chronicles 19:13

 

Focused Prayer for the Year

 

Throughout my time of reflection I have had a few prayers placed on my heart. I have committed to pray diligently and fervently over every day this year. One prayer I would to share with you now.

 

The Lord has really placed a desire on my heart to lift up marriage in prayer. All marriages, not only my marriage. I am specifically praying over the divorce rate of His children. As a people set apart for God it breaks my heart to see that our odds of a divorce are the same as they are for non-believers. I am praying for a revival in marriages. And I would be greatly blessed if you would join me. If you would like prayer over a specific marriage, yours a family member or a friends, I would be honored to lift that up in prayer throughout the year.

 

Happy New Year 2019 – New Hope

 

While 2019 may not have the same level of worry and excitement throughout the world as 1999 had, I am finding the same stirrings in my heart. I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for me this year. And I am looking forward to drawing closer to Him and growing in wisdom and understanding along the way.

 

Grace and Peace

Debra Jean