James
1:12 ESV
Blessed is the man
who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will
receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
As I review social media posts over the last few weeks, it
seems as there is much gloom and doom about the years 2020 and 2021. Whether it is a
new President that many in the county are divided over or whether it is those
that feel that God has taken His attention off of this world.
As I go through our community, I often here more of “what
used to be” instead of “what we can do”. It seems as the world is in need of an
infusion of happiness and excitement in relationship to our future lives and
what the coming year may bring.
Some say that God cannot understand what I am feeling or why
did He let this happen, why did God take his hands off the steering wheel of
the world? I have also seen many people tell others, “don’t try to make me feel
good, don’t unload your piousness on me. Don’t tell me how much Jesus loves me,
when He lets this happen to me, us, and the world!”
I do agree that when one is feeling low and alone, empty sentiments
are the last thing a person wants to hear. “It was their time”, “they are in a
better place” and the Biggy: “I know how you feel”. Beloved, the Father
truly knows how we feel, He made us and everything around us. He sent his Son
Jesus to live among us and to feel what we feel, so He could take it away from
us. He is the pioneer of humanity.
When we limit our faith in God, because of unanswered prayers
or unanswered results, we limit what God can do and who God is. When we think
of God in earthly description rather than heavenly description, we lose grasp
of God’s purpose for us and for this world.
My prayer is that as we go into 2022, we will do so wanting
to love others more and be thinking outside the box in regards to our relationship
with others as well as our relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit.
Know that God is God and God is going to do what God does,
and that we play an eternal role in the “Masters Plan”. Be excited, because what
we gain here on earth is truly not comparable to the things of heaven and our
eternal walk with God and our never having to say “Good Bye” or “God Why”
again.
Attitude is everything, faith is everything, and even though
you may not think so, God is alive and at work this very second with His hands
firmly on the wheel of the world.
Happy New Year. God has this!
Pastor Tim.
