Growing up, December 31 always meant that I got to stay up past my bedtime… stay up past my bedtime AND get sparkling grape juice. Win, win.
Now, December 31 sometimes means staying up past my bedtime, but it also is a day where I reflect on the displays of the Lord’s faithfulness, love, and mercy in my life over the past year.
Friends, you are a display of the Lord’s faithfulness, love, and mercy to me. Your commitment, perseverance, endurance, passion, hopefulness, and humility are something I see poured out every week, and it helps me to know and love Jesus with greater depth.
Because you are there, where you are, being obedient to what God has called you to, I want to be here where I am being obedient to what He has called me to.
Today, I want you to know that I am deeply thankful for the ways you are shaping the future of the Church.
As we head into a new year together, the Lord has brought to mind 1 Corinthians 15:57-58:
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.“
These verses are my hope and prayer today for us as a community. May we remember He has given us the victory already through His Son! May we stand firm – immovable and obedient even in the face of opposition and hardship. May we give all of our gifts and all of our passions to His work because His work is never without fruit.
You are entering a new year with a God who never changes.
You are entering a new season with a God whose promises are the same yesterday, today, forever.
You are entering a new year with Him, and because of that, you can walk into it freely because victory has been won.
You can enter into it standing firm, letting no discouragement or trial move you from your purpose.
You can enter into it with shouts of praise because this work bears fruit for His Kingdom – always.
As you say goodbye to 2019 and hello to 2020, I bless you with this:
“May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
Throwing confetti for you in the new year!
