by: Pastor Lonnie Phillips
Last night my family and I huddled together to talk about 2020. The question for each of us was to name the top three blessings and top three hardships of 2020.
It was a time of sharing the joys as well as the trials. As we look at closing the door to 2020 and entering into 2021, none of us fully knows what lies ahead.
The greatest question, I believe, to ask ourselves on this day is, "Who is going to be in charge of directing our steps entering into this New Year?"
There are only two possible answers to the question:
1) I can be in charge of directing my steps by leaning on my own understanding. I can be in charge of my life and be in control of my actions so that I can protect myself, find security in myself and even find happiness for myself. This choice can provide for temporary earthly gain and may even provide a measure of happiness that is only for a moment. Our fallen world is all about promoting self above all else. Satan loves to dangle things or relationships before us so that we will believe that to be in control of self and our future is the best for us and our family.
2) I can give up control of my life and surrender my ways and my steps to Christ Jesus. Just because we believe God is sovereign doesn't mean He will take charge of our life without us surrendering our will to His. The life of of being governed by Christ, where He is Lord of our life, is a life of dependence and not independence. It is a life that may result in hardships and even rejections but it is a life that is never in vain or for the moment. When Jesus is directing our steps through the Empowering work of the Holy Spirit, the steps we are taking are eternal steps. They are life-giving steps not only for ourselves but those around us. These steps are full of God's love, grace, mercy and truth.
Who will be directing our steps out of 2020 and into 2021?
1 Peter 2:21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
May we have a Blessed New Year!!
Last night my family and I huddled together to talk about 2020. The question for each of us was to name the top three blessings and top three hardships of 2020.
It was a time of sharing the joys as well as the trials. As we look at closing the door to 2020 and entering into 2021, none of us fully knows what lies ahead.
The greatest question, I believe, to ask ourselves on this day is, "Who is going to be in charge of directing our steps entering into this New Year?"
There are only two possible answers to the question:
1) I can be in charge of directing my steps by leaning on my own understanding. I can be in charge of my life and be in control of my actions so that I can protect myself, find security in myself and even find happiness for myself. This choice can provide for temporary earthly gain and may even provide a measure of happiness that is only for a moment. Our fallen world is all about promoting self above all else. Satan loves to dangle things or relationships before us so that we will believe that to be in control of self and our future is the best for us and our family.
2) I can give up control of my life and surrender my ways and my steps to Christ Jesus. Just because we believe God is sovereign doesn't mean He will take charge of our life without us surrendering our will to His. The life of of being governed by Christ, where He is Lord of our life, is a life of dependence and not independence. It is a life that may result in hardships and even rejections but it is a life that is never in vain or for the moment. When Jesus is directing our steps through the Empowering work of the Holy Spirit, the steps we are taking are eternal steps. They are life-giving steps not only for ourselves but those around us. These steps are full of God's love, grace, mercy and truth.
Who will be directing our steps out of 2020 and into 2021?
1 Peter 2:21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
May we have a Blessed New Year!!
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