Each year seems to pass more quickly than the previous year. As we draw near to the end of each year, it seems to be such a busy time. No matter how much we think the next year will be different, 2024 doesn’t seem any different. We may try to alter our plans so we will not be as busy, but it seems we wind up as busy or busier than the previous year. We all have so many places to be and things to do at this time of the year as we celebrate the holidays and try to wrap up the year.
With Thanksgiving last week and Christmas in just a few weeks, it is easy to get caught up in the holiday rush and lose track of our priorities. I hope that during the next few weeks, we can take some time to reflect on this past year. Have we accomplished everything we set out to do at the beginning of the year? Did we make new year’s resolutions and keep them all year? Perhaps we planned to read our bibles every day, be more faithful in our attendance at worship services, pray more, visit others more, send cards of encouragement or teach the lost about Jesus and His saving power. Did we plan to be a better example for others we work with or go to school with? So, now it is time to look back and see how we did with all these plans. Sometimes, we fall short of the plans we make at the beginning of the year and just give up. In just a few weeks, it will be 2025. What goals do we have for the new year and what are we doing to prepare to meet these goals? A good place to start is to pray for God to give us wisdom and help us keep the goals we want to accomplish. Pray that our plans align with God’s plans. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us that God is never far from us. “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
As you plan for the new year, please make it a priority to put God first in everything. Be grateful to Him for all the blessings He continues to give us. We look forward to our worship and fellowship together in the new year. As we come to the end of another year, I wish you peace and joy through the holidays and hope you enjoy all the blessings God gives you each day.
From Numbers 6:24-26, “The Lord bless you and keep you;The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”