Never Take A Year For Granted

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14

I got onto the scale and I weighed 143 pounds. I had not weighed so little since I was a young teenager. They finished preparing me for surgery and the surgeon prayed over me. I said my own prayer asking the Lord to take me home with Him if I did not survive the surgery. No one was more surprised than myself when I came out of surgery and realized I was still alive.

That was nearly thirteen years ago, and as I enter another year I am reminded of just how much God can turn things around. It also causes me to consider what those who have no relationship with God must face in dire circumstances. The hope of heaven after death gives believers  peace and comfort when suffering and facing death. Having the Lord in your life also gives hope and confidence in facing the future, both in good and bad times.

We should all approach a new year with optimism and hope. Yet we know realistically that along with blessings, each year also brings its own challenges and difficulties. Walking hand in hand with Jesus gives us courage and confidence that we will not face any hardship alone, and that we have a kind Lord who blesses and takes care of His own.

If you had told me on that morning before surgery I would live at least another thirteen years with a measure of health and the many blessings that would come my way, I don’t think I could have comprehended it. When barely surviving day to day it can seem impossible to imagine a tomorrow.

Know one knows what this year will bring. It could be the best or worst year of your life. It could be your last year on this earth, or just the beginning of many more to come. Whatever comes your way this year, my prayer is that if you have no relationship with Jesus you will ask Him into your life this year. And if you have a relationship with Jesus, I pray your roots grow ever deeper into His love as your walk with Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord, nothing is too hard for You. No matter how grim our circumstances or what challenges we face we know that we have a God big enough to deal with them all. Amen.