On the eve of the New Year my mind seems to be a little
“ecclesiastical.” I am not
referring to church here, but the futile thinking of the author of
Ecclesiastes. As I look forward to
exploring all the new God has to offer me in 2015 I am also reminded of the
statement “so there is nothing new under the sun.”
“That which has been is that which will be, and that which
has been done is that which will be done.
So there is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9
As I reflect on last year I am reminded of all that I did
not accomplish and all the things I failed to even begin. Will 2015 prove to be the same cycle
with only new events, people and challenges? Will life just keep repeating itself until it comes to a
final end? See, I told you I was
in a futile frame of mind!
This posting could really be depressing if I stopped here.
But, I have some good news.
Ecclesiastes was written before Jesus! Jesus tells us that apart from
Him we can do nothing. Without
Jesus life is totally futile. No
purpose, no passion, no hope for newness.
With Jesus there comes hope, help, and totally new thinking, loving and
living! I am clinging to these
truths:
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me
and I in him, he bears much fruit,
for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the
works that I do, he will do also;
and greater works than these he will do;
because I go to the Father.” John
14:12
So my futile thinking is diminishing as I renew my mind with
the words of Jesus, who has overcome and freed us from a hopeless, powerless and
purposeless way of life! I am
making a list of the things I want to do better this coming year, knowing that
it is only by abiding in Jesus and walking in His powerful name that they will
be accomplished. Some of these I
have tried to do before with my own strength, but this year I am clinging and
relying on Christ alone. Here are the things I am seeking to do better and greater while abiding in Him:
- Serve others.
- Steward my resources.
- See things through to completion.
What new thing are you hoping to accomplish in the new year? What would you like to do better? It will only be a futile exercise of
your own strength unless you abide completely in Christ and walk in the power
of the Holy Spirit. Praying we
will do greater works in 2015.
Have a fruitful New Year!
Abiding in Jesus,
Nancy
No comments:
Post a Comment