Text:
‘For I know the thoughts that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope’ – Jeremiah 29:11
Thought:
I am sure that everyone has a longing for 2014 to be a good year. Is it simply a case of Que Sera Sera – whatever will be, will be? Or can we help to ‘influence’ what will happen? I am a firm believer that we can help to bring about change for the better, but it involves considering three things.
The Past – what’s happened
Who do we need to thank? What do we need to forgive and to forget? All too often events of long ago still live with us as if it happened yesterday, adversely affecting life and health. Jacob’s son, Joseph, after he had suffered being betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused of rape and thrown into prison, suddenly found himself Prime Minister of Egypt. With God’s help he had interpreted Pharoah’s dream and become the saviour of the country. Now everything was going well. He got married and named his first son, Manesseh – ‘For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house – Genesis 41:51. He came to that place where he could forgive and forget, where the past didn’t hurt anymore although he retained the memory of it. He proved this later on when after his father’s death, his brothers begged for forgiveness, fearing revenge. But Joseph had forgiven them long ago, reassuring them with, ‘Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? ..You meant it for evil against me; but God meant it for good’ – Genesis 50:19-20. Looking into your new year, make sure you leave 2013 having forgiven and choosing not to remember bad experiences.
The Present – what’s happening
How can we increase and prolong the things we like which are good and a blessing? How can we change the things we don’t like which are bad and damaging? Life isn’t a bed of roses. All too often we experience the nasty thorns. It’s good to take stock of life now and use that to help shape our tomorrow.
The Future – what will happen
Some things we can’t avoid, they’re beyond our ability to control. But some things we can help to make happen in this New Year by adopting the following actions:
Have a positive attitude
Joseph named his second son, Ephraim – ‘For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction’ – Genesis 41:52. It was much more than just a fact, this was his statement of faith, for he found prosperity even in slavery and prison, rising to be the one in charge on both occasions. Some see only the clouds. Others, in faith, see the sun behind the clouds and know that, ‘All things are working together for good’– Romans 8:28
Check the soil and the seed
Both need to be good in order for there to be a good harvest. What are we sowing and where are we sowing it? We will always reap what we sow. Leave the harvest and the increase to God.
Make achievable goals
Many don’t in case they don’t achieve them. Goals keep us focussed and bring a sense of achievement when they are realised. If we achieve the target before the year’s up, quickly set another goal. We can usually achieve much more than we first thought and planned for. It’s in this respect that we can ‘influence for good’ the coming year as God helps us to bring these dreams and desires into reality.
Remember it only takes a moment to change a lifetime!
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