December 27th

December 27th

We made it through the holiday season, now is the time many people start to look ahead and try to determine what the year ahead holds and what they will do differently next year. They start their lists and plans. But before we move on, let’s take some time to examine what is behind us. Kind of like the Dayenu. But let’s reflect not just on what happened, what went wrong or could be improved, or on what was accomplished. Let’s check for loose ends that need to be tied up. Let’s look at issues that might be better to deal with before the year ahead, things that we may need to deal with and not take into the new year with us. Things that we may have been avoiding or just haven’t had time to deal with but may make next year better if we deal with them now.

It doesn’t have to be major things, maybe you have been meaning to clean out a closet (physically or mentally) or maybe you have been meaning to call someone and make amends or clarify some apparent misunderstanding. Maybe you need to reach out to a family member that just needs to hear “I love you” without any arguing or confrontation. Maybe you need to make the doctor’s appointment that you have been avoiding. Maybe you need to finally tell a coworker that you have been praying for them. Maybe you need to invite someone over for dinner. Maybe you have been meaning to be a blessing to someone and just haven’t found the time. Let’s not put off for tomorrow or next year what needs to be done now. Let’s not drag this year’s baggage into the new year. We still have a few days left, let’s close this year out right.

Today, pray and ask the Lord to show you who or what you need to quit avoiding and deal with in the next few days. Jesus reminds us in the sermon on the mount, not to leave things hanging.

Matthew 5:22-24 “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” (Raca is an Aramaic term of hatred.)

James has some hard truth for us as well:

James 4:17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

If you have felt the Lord tugging at your heart about a situation or to do something, stop today and ask Him to help you go ahead and do it. We can’t look ahead to tomorrow and miss out on what we were supposed to do today. If you have been dragging something along behind you, why not finally do it so you can leave it behind you and enter the new year with less baggage?

We also need to remember not to be so focused on what is ahead that we neglect or miss what is in the moment. Don’t get me wrong, I am not claiming this is easy. After all, we don’t put off things we think are easy do we? Over the last few months of studying Revelation, God has worked in our hearts, taught us, grown us, showed us what the future holds, and this has changed our perspective. Hopefully we have let it also change our perspective of the things we are avoiding. In light of our knowledge of what the “end” brings can we finally forgive or reconcile or bless those we need to? In light of the knowledge we now have about who the enemy really is, can we allow the Spirit of the Living God to bring healing to whatever situation is hanging unresolved in our lives? We call this hard truth, but the fact of the matter is, it isn’t hard for Jesus, just for us. Do we trust Jesus enough to let Him lead us through this journey now so that we don’t find ourselves in the same unresolved position next December? Things may not completely resolve by January 1st but the journey will have begun. We will have started our part. We can’t control other people but we can work through our own mess and let Jesus transform us. That starts with surrender of our own will. Healing won’t come without surrender. So pray, and then sacrifice the time or energy needed for whatever the issue is so you can get it done.

We will look at some helpful Scriptures the next few days that will help us begin making progress in our lives.

Jesus, help me to face what I need to face now in my life. Remind me of the things that I have neglected. Help me to deal with any unresolved issues in my life so that I can move into the New Year on your best path for me. I am asking for the strength and energy that I will need to accomplish all that you have asked me to do. Help me walk through it by your Spirit not by my own strength or reasoning. Show me exactly the path to take and please open the doors that need opening and close those that need closing. Thank you that I am not alone but you are with me every step of the way. Help me to step into your will in this situation. Thank you for your freedom and your perfect love for me!