Now that the Christmas gifts have been opened, the tree and ornaments taken down and put away, the New Year celebrations and parties behind us, and 2018 fading into history…Now what?
As we reflect on our country and its people…the “state of the union”…we ask, “Now what?”
When we consider our lives and ponder those thoughts and actions of the past year that we know were wrong, we should ask, “Now what?”
Many people answer that question with a New Year resolution; it’s understandable as each new year symbolizes a new beginning, the old has passed away and there’s the possibility of things becoming new. Generally however, what begins with celebration and a new resolve ends in disappointment and despair…the same old same old. At times we feel like nothing will change for the better, and like the rest of the world we are being swept along like the herd of 2000 swine in the Bible that rushed down a steep bank into the sea and drowned. It seems we are unable to change ourselves or to affect change in our world. In both cases we would be correct. Oh, we can make some changes but they are only superficial. The real lasting change that needs to be made in us and in the world is a spiritual one. A holy life we cannot create in ourselves through self effort, it is only effected in us through the working of the Holy Spirit. The root cause of all problems, personally, nationally and internationally is sin. When that issue is dealt with, we will find all the other issues will, in time, be dealt with as well.
I like the words of a Michael W. Smith song: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” In Watchman Nee’s book, The Normal Christian Life, he points out that God makes it quite clear in His Word that He has only one answer to every human need – His Son, Jesus Christ. “In all his dealings with us He works by taking us out of the way and substituting Christ in our place.” May God accomplish that work in each of us. As He does, we will see lasting change in us and in our world.
However, no matter how uncertain, corrupt, confusing and hopeless things appear, God is in the midst of it all seeing our need and offering salvation. Blessings to each of you this coming year.
