Here at the start of a New Year many will be making resolutions or plans.
To get fitter, eat better, improve life in some way, spend time with family more, or whatever. Perhaps you are looking for a new direction in your life? Seeking to be closer to God? I have never been very good at these whole resolutions things, start well, but usually fail within a week or two if I am lucky. Well last night, or early this morning depending on your point of view we gathered at church to see the year out and the New Year in together. We worshiped, prayed and broke bread (aka communion, aka shared a simple meal of bread and wine just like Jesus asked us to do) and listened to these words from Psalm 119 (which is longest Psalm in the Bible with a whopping 176 verses!) Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. I have suffered much; preserve my life, Lord, according to your word. Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws. Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law. The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts. Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end. Psalm 119:105-112 As the year begins it was good to be reminded that the words of Jesus can be a light that can guide us. Your future is not yet written, this year is yet to unfold. One hopes that it will be filled with good things, blessings and not hardships, joys and not sadness but the reality is that we cannot be certain. Life can be like a game of snakes and ladders, with ups and downs, successes and failures, dreams and nightmares. Nothing is certain except that life is uncertain. And with this in mind these words from Psalm 119 are a timely reminder that whatever 2025 throws at you there is one whose words and teaching can help us navigate a path onwards. Jesus came to bring us a full of life (John 10:10) and promised to always be with us (Matthew 28:20). For this to be true we need to look for the light that Jesus is offering. We need to seek the "word" of God, commit to understanding who Jesus is and what his teaching means for each of us. And to do that we need to spend time reading God's Word (aka the Bible). It's a big book for sure, and maybe it is hard to know where to look. If you've never opened it before, or it's been a while can I suggest you look at one of the Gospels (the books that talk about Jesus life) Matthew, Mark Luke or John. You could see to try and read the whole bible - it's possible you know, about 3 or 4 chapters a day would see you through, but this isn't a musing about making New Year resolutions its about seeing that the way to walk through 2025 is not with some grand plans or resolution, but with the a simple act of faith to look to Jesus and let the Light of the World lead you. So as this year around the sun begins my prayer for you is that you will see the light of Jesus and that light will help you navigate a path through whatever lies ahead. God Bless Jon
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