“I have told you these things, so
that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take
heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. As we look
back on 2012, I think we will find that it was a busy year. I think we can look
back and find moments of peace, but also look back and find moments of trouble.
I look back over the past month and find moments of trouble, from the deadly
shooting in Newtown to the fiscal cliff that seems to be drawing near. But,
amidst this trouble there is the peace that is brought as we celebrated the
birth of Jesus Christ. We know that we live in this imperfect world. We know
that this is a sinful world and there are daily reminders of this. But we can’t
settle for this world. We know there is something greater than this world. Even
in our greatest joys and moments of peace, it is nothing compared to the
ultimate gift that is waiting for us.
As
we look ahead to 2013 there are things that we are looking forward to. There
will also be times of trouble in this next year. But, through the peace that
only God can provide, we will move through those times of trouble. The picture
in this post is probably my favorite picture ever. For one, there is the
beautiful sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains. I like this photo also though
because it is a reminder to look ahead. The start of a new year is often a time
when we look ahead. We set those New Year’s resolutions and set the goals in
which we hope to achieve. Often times those goals and dreams include things
that benefit us, things that will have a direct impact on our own life. I think
though that as we look ahead, as we look out onto the horizon, that we need to
do so without expectations or preconceived notions.
This
picture was taken at a place called Rattlesnake. It is this mountain top, that
on a clear day, you can look around in all directions and see nothing but the
tall Blue Ridge Mountains for miles and miles. This is a favorite campsite that
we go camping at every summer. What if we approach 2013 in the same way that we
see the view on top of a mountain? What if when we look at 2013, we see the
vast endless possibilities that await us? What if when we look at 2013, we see
the beauty of God’s creation? We see his handiwork in the beauty that is. To do
this, we must condition our hearts. We must turn our attention and focus to
what is important, to what really matters.
So,
as we welcome in the New Year, let us remember to “keep our eyes focused on
Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” Let us look ahead
and be ready for what will be and what is to come.
