The past few days I’ve been counting down. Four more days of 2013. Three more days of 2013. Two more days of 2013. I don’t know if it’s age or what, but each year I become increasingly more nostalgic about it ending.
Sometimes a year’s ending is a welcome close, like walking out of that last final exam for the semester. For me, that year was 2010. It was the most tumultuous year I have yet to experience.
Other times it’s not the year you’re stepping into that’s a relief, but the one you’re stepping out of. What’s awaiting you on the other side of December 31st is a big question mark. A question mark stuffed with fear.
That’s been me in years passed, and that is me this year.
As I look into 2014, I wonder if I’ll be in the same place this time next year – again. See, I have a slight problem with procrastination and not seeing goals to the end and repeating the same insanity over and over again. I want this year to be different filled with big accomplishments – not for my name’s sake but instead to show that I kept my eyes of Jesus, pushed forward, and didn’t let fear smother me down.
For other people, the upcoming year might be filled with fear of a different kind. A break-up that you know must happen. Freedom from the bondage of an addiction. Wondering if you’ll be closer to marriage. Treatment for an illness. A big decision that must be made. A move far away. Watching a loved-one battle something scary. A cycle of defeat you want to break. reconciliation in a relationship.
If today finds you in that place – the place of fear, being afraid of a new year instead of hopeful for a new beginning – let me encourage you with this:
“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.” Hebrews 12:2 from The Message
To deny that 2014 will be filled with its own set of challenges is to believe in a heaven we are not a part of yet. <-Click to Tweet However, even with those challenges, Jesus is already there. He’s already in each day, hour, minute, and second of this coming year. He’s waiting for you. All you have to do it keep your eyes on Him and seek Him. He’ll give you all you need.
Does that mean He will give you all that you want? Will He give you a new husband? A smaller waistline? An accomplished goal? A cure for an illness? A victory over death?
Not necessarily. Yes, God promises to give us all that we need (2 Peter 1:3). He promises to give us hope and a future when we have a right relationship with Him by seeking Him with all of our hearts (Jeremiah 29:11). However, all of this is within a bigger context of the story He is writing – a story to bring restoration to His people. You and I may never experience personally a “hope and future” in the worldly sense. Our hope and future may only be in heaven.
But Jesus never lost sight of where He was headed. He embraced “whatever”. Now it’s our turn. Let’s embrace the “whatever for Jesus”. <-Click to Tweet Let’s pick up our own crosses, keep our eyes on Him, and not be afraid.
Where are you today on the New Year’s spectrum?
Are you afraid of a new year or are you excited for its new possibilities?
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