January 2024 – and an entire year ahead, brimming with opportunities. A time when we resolve to make a fresh start of things; full of energy to begin anew. Whether it’s a chance to wipe the slate clean and try again… or maybe break from old habits, and try something a little different and exciting! We look ahead to all the possibilities which present, and experience a sense of joy from the delight this offers.
Then, we look at the state of the world around us… and wonder.
It feels as if we have to work harder these days to see the good in things, which is a little disconcerting… and disturbing.
How did it ever come to this?
People seem more divided than ever, countries at war… the innocent ones caught in the middle; suffering and silent, with no voice. And too often those who do speak up in outrage are not heard. Where is the justice in that? One becomes more aware of the unfairness inherent in life. With that thought comes a feeling of unease and discomfort, which threatens to deflate our initial high hopes for this, the start of a New Year. And with good reason.
Sadly, the troubles of today are not an unusual state in the world. Looking back throughout history, discord often appears to have been the rule, rather than the exception… war, disease, conflict, injustice, etc. The only difference being, it is happening now, to us. We like to believe, in this so-called modern day and era, that we have learned better. And it’s hard to accept that this is not necessarily the case.
In 587 BCE, the city of Jerusalem was destroyed. People living there, and in the surrounding area, were lost… destroyed, and scattered. Feelings ran high, full of tension, and were deeply impassioned. It was a time of grief and mourning for what had happened… and for what could never be again. Past glories are just that… passed. They do not live on in the present. The world once known and familiar had changed forever. Not unlike what so many feel and experience today, regardless of where we live. No one is immune from trouble or sorrow. We have all experienced difficult times, as well as painful ones – be it of a physical state or emotional in nature.
Living in the midst of those troubled days the prophet Jeremiah proclaimed the following…
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future…
come pray, and I will listen to you…
when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you…
and bring you back from captivity.”
(Jer. 29:11-14)
We are captive to so many dividing trends these days. It’s hard to know where to turn, or who and what to believe. Call it whatever you will; mis-information, dis-information, or an outright lie, it doesn’t matter. Because any or all of these can sow distrust and chaos in both heart and mind. We are left feeling lost and scattered; unable to discern the real truth from falsehood, or the actual facts from mere fictional tales.
And so, our plans and high hopes become lost from sight amidst the fog of discord. Dreams for the New Year ahead with all its promise, feel tarnished; or at the very least, dimmed from what once seemed bright and shining.
The message of Jeremiah here is one of assurance… and reassurance. The way ahead may not always be clear; but without a doubt, there is a way ahead… even when circumstance seems to point otherwise.
Our plans and hopes for the New Year – despite the state and worries of the world today – are still there; waiting for us to acknowledge and embrace them… with joy. And that is the message of God in this passage.
A dear friend sent me the following prayer. And I now pass it on to you…
with peace and blessings for this New Year – 2024.
Lord,
“As you give us years of life to live… we learn many lessons.
As long as we have memories… yesterday remains.
As long as we have hope and faith… tomorrow awaits.
As long as we have love… today and always is beautiful.
As long as we have God… anything and everything is possible.”
~~
So… what are your hopes and plans for the New Year?
What are God’s hopes and plans for you?!
2 thoughts on “Possibilities”
Very interesting and thought full article. Jim
Thanks Jim. Always nice to get feedback from you my friend!