Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
Typically people welcome the new year with a cacophony of merrymaking noises – boisterous cheers, blaring party blowers, glittering sparklers, dazzling fireworks, and of course, a countdown.
The hours leading up to and immediately following this boisterous moment are times of much partying which generally involves dining, drinking, dancing, dallying, and other exuberant expressions of decadence.
To sincere and thoughtful disciples of Christ, however, the ending of a year and the beginning of a new one invoke something deep in the heart and spirit. The urge to soul-search and to reflect on the last year is felt strongly.
I am fully convinced that a true child of God should put at the very center of the changing of times and seasons the One who sets them. Daniel 2:21 NIV says, “He changes times and seasons.” Genesis 1:14 says that He was the One who determined day from night and marked out the seasons of the year.
So in acknowledgment of His Sovereignty over time and of all His goodness in the past year, and in imploring of His grace and mercies for the new year, the true children of God should be found in a certain posture when a new year strikes. This posture is two-fold – physical and spiritual.
Physically speaking, a faithful child of God should be on her knees; with her hands lifted up or clasped, with her head bowed down or raised, as if to gaze upon the Setter of time.
Spiritually, a devoted child of God should be in the spirit of repentance, humility, and great reflection. Her heart must be overflowing with thankfulness for the past year, and her mind in full surrender and trust for the new.
During the few minutes of the changing of year, one can see the vivid difference between light and darkness, between holiness and wickedness, between a child of God and someone who’s not.
The first one enveloped in peace and trust, basking in the love and glory of the Heavenly Father. The latter drowned in discordant clamor, which signifies the lures and lies of the great deceiver who has them blinded.
To a great extent, the arrival of a new year is a divisive moment. Will a child of God listen to the voice of conviction, or will she fail to honor the Time-Setter and chime in with the world’s cacophonous chorus.
This year, I passionately encourage you to not miss a beautiful and tender opportunity to be at the feet of your loving Heavenly Father at the moment He starts a new reckoning of time, a new season, a fresh, blank canvas of your life. Honor Him in this uniquely special short while. Give Him the recognition, the glory, and the thanksgiving that He deserves. Ask Him to bless the coming year for you, your family, your ministry, for all the things and people you care about. Express to Him your love. Leave everything to His care. And stand up confident and at peace, having made the first right step to face the new year.
A blessed New Year to you, my dear sister. Let’s see each other at the Watch Night Service in our churches. Praise the Lord!
With lots of love, Ptr. Gen
Helping and inspiring women Livingstones to achieve deeper godliness by developing a habit of engaging in personal spiritual self-care.
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