Guy Finley, an American writer and philosopher once remarked: “Our greatest strength isn't our ability to imagine brighter days ahead, it is that we are empowered - in every present moment - to effortlessly dismiss any dark thought or feeling that, left unattended, diminishes our happiness.” Haggai 2:9 reminds us: “The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.’”
As we enter the dawn of a new year, our thoughts may primarily turn to elements of hope. Hope for perhaps a better year than the previous one. Hope for personal good health. Hope to withstand the trials and tribulations of the forthcoming year. Hope for world peace and to live in harmony with others. Hope for a greater happiness.
Brighter days can mean much to so many. They can give a new perspective and purpose to life. Just as the sun rises every day, even in the depths of winter, the somewhat heatless glow provides an assurance of a portion of warmth on a bitterly cold morning. If the clouds dissipate and allow the sun to shine without hindrance, then that warmth will be significantly increased.
Christians know or believe that God created the living world and everything in it, and most are probably grateful for that, it is a precious experience, but have you ever considered the possibility of what the world would be like if God didn’t exist? It could be so different to what we are accustomed to. Would there be any light to overcome the darkness? Would the sun ever shine? Many non-believers have probably already formed the notion that it would be like it is, with an abundance of hatred, scorn, jealousy, and evil prevalent amongst many. Their thoughts may purport the reasoning that if there is a God, how can He allow disasters or disharmony to occur in such a perfect world?
This is not the harmonious or joyful world that God wishes. It is true to say that these factors still remain prevalent even with the presence of God, but believe in this, it could be so much worse without Him guiding those of a God-fearing or better nature. Revelation 21:8 confirms: “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
The main problem stems from the traits of humanity. No one is ever born evil, it is acquired from external sources and encouraged to flourish within. Some become selfish and self-centered to such an extent that badness attempts to replace or diminish the goodness that is in existence. They demand more than they are given or entitled to. Isaiah 5:20 reminds us: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”
Happily, not everyone follows the same dimensions in life. For many, goodness prevails within which fights the force of evil in an attempt to achieve a more acceptable and contented life. They try to adhere to the original intentions and will of God during creation. Proverbs 8:13 reminds us: “The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.”
However, the truth remains, that the goodness that dwells within many, and becomes a driving force to eradicate turpitude, comes from God, to combat the unruly forces that attempt to disturb perfect peace and harmony in an ideal world.
Some humans, through their own avarice or search for increased individual power, are attempting to destroy the beauty and perfection of God’s created universe. This is a needless and unwarranted task. Charles Andrew Stanley, an American pastor of a non-denominational evangelical Christian church once remarked: “Greed is the assumption that it is all for my consumption.”
A New Year can provide the opportunity for new direction. Some people may have not experienced a bounteous previous year. Life can be tough, there may have been trials and tribulations that have been difficult to endure, some problems may have become insurmountable, hardship may have prevailed as a result and the future may appear bleak. All hope may appear to be lost, but do not despair, there is a light at the end of every tunnel, God’s light.
Life can change on a sixpence, fortunes may transpose. Darkness can suddenly change into light. With the beginning of a new year, personal outlooks can change and we view things in a different light. An element of hope can suddenly appear on the horizon and we take a new path that changes everything. God finds many ways to interact with His sheep. Luke 15:11-32 reminds us: “And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.”
Life is an existence that often sadly consists of many mistakes, but it should be remembered that forgiveness and hope abound forever. 2 Timothy 2:15 reminds us: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
Amen.
