A blessed New Year to you
all!
Talk about new
beginnings. My youngest daughter and her family brought home yesterday a
pure bread Golden Retriever. As cute as a puppy can be. Our dog,
Jake, was mildly interested in Margot. Now, he’s just plain annoyed😊. Not a
good way to start a new year.
Annoyed…frustrated…upset…angry…those
are just a few of the words that describe our feelings for 2020. Our
lives changed significantly. A mask become a part of our ensemble.
Distance between people was expected. Shopping’s priority was cleaning
and paper products. Fear was felt as we ventured out to shop or be caught
in large crowds. Even church was off limits for those who had concerns
about catching the virus.
Despite all this, God’s
people still hungered for the Word and Supper. We established an online
service after we went on hiatus and viewership exceeded our expectations.
We held brief communion services with groups of six to eight and the slots
filled up quickly. “Zoom” Bible studies served the needs for those who
wanted to dig further into the Scriptures. And the virus did not stop all
of you, our Prayer Team, from asking the Lord to have mercy on the sick and
dying. For me, all of the above will be what I remember most from 2020.
God’s Word cannot be
hindered. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do
not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving
seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My Word be that goes out
from My mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that
which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah
55:10-11)
Many people make resolutions
at the new year. Most of these focus on self-improvement, i.e. losing
weight, giving up smoking or cutting back on snacking, etc. There is
nothing wrong with wanting to get in better shape. Nothing at all.
But, as disciples of Jesus,
let’s resolve to be people of God’s Word. Resolve to read a verse, a few
verses, a chapter in the Bible each day. Use the Psalms as your prayer
book. Memorize your favorite Bible verses. Attend a Bible study –
on campus or online. Share an insight from the Scriptures with a
friend. Make "Treasuring God’s Word” or “Portals of Prayer” a daily
habit. Jesus taught: Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of
God and keep it. (Luke 11:28)
Don’t despair. Even
though we start 2021 the same way we ended 2020 we are people of hope.
The Lord has cleansed us in baptism. He has fortified us with His
Word. He comes near with His forgiveness in the Supper. The Lord is
with us! God’s best to you in the coming year!
