Friday, December 29, 2006
Good Morning 2007
Our calendar declares the beginning of a new year. Dare we expect it to be a happy one? Pragmatic, realistic, honest, everyday people can’t help but wonder if the future will be bright. A steady bombardment of bad news, angry politics, and moral debauchery fan the flames of fear and worry. And, since we now live in such a small world, when bad things happen, even in remote places, the whole world watches and winces. Good news, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to travel as fast or get its share of the spotlight. As a result, one might feel dishonest proclaiming that the new year will be a happy one.
To complicate matters, many of us are not careful to appreciate the daily miracles and blessings God sends our way. For example, it is somehow easier to complain about the failures of our political leader, our boss or our family members than it is to celebrate their strengths and their positive impact on our lives. So, in a sub-conscious effort to protect our hearts and maintain emotional equilibrium, we often opt to expect bad things so we will not be disappointed when bad things happen. It simply takes more courage and energy to risk believing that good things are around the corner. In short, since it feels “safer” to fellowship with sorrow and pain rather than to hope for joy and progress, it might be that we - too easily - give up the happiness to which faith could lead us.
With all that said, I pose the questions: Is it realistic to believe for a Happy New Year? Are we “chumps” to anticipate good days ahead?
I think we would be chumps not to expect a happy new year. 2007 is a clean slate… a fresh piece of paper… a blank canvas… a new digital file! It has all the potential of a new job, a new semester, or a new house. We can all make a fresh start.
If you are skeptical or lack the courage to believe for a good year, maybe you would be interested in a little extra boost to help you tackle the coming year with optimism and hope; the kind of boost that even the disciples of Jesus needed. Jesus’ disciples are honored and respected for the positive impact they had on our world, but they, too, faced the dilemma you and I face. They wanted to believe in a bright future. They tried to live right and do right. But even Jesus disciples needed a little extra boost.
St. Peter might be the most prominent example. He was a blue collar worker who eventually became a great leader of first century church. This man loved Jesus. At one point he optimistically and boldly proclaimed that he would die for Christ. When Jesus was arrested, however, Peter cursed and denied that he knew Jesus. Then, along with most of the other disciples, Peter ran for his life when Jesus was crucified. While Jesus lay in the grave Peter was so disappointed that he decided to return to fishing. He believed, but he lacked courage.
Then came a fresh start. Jesus rose from the dead, commissioned his disciples and then told them to go to Jerusalem and wait for the power they would need to make the most of this fresh start. Acts chapter 2 records the event. Peter, the disciples, Jesus’ mother and those praying with them in the “upper room” were believers and followers of Christ, but on the Day of Pentecost He moved into their hearts and gave them power. They were baptized with the Holy Spirit. As a result, they spoke in other languages as the Spirit gave them utterance. Peter promised this same experience to “as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:39) This was the power to start fresh; the power to go forward in troubled times.
Maybe this is the kind of boost you need. If so, do what the first century Christians did: pray… wait on God… seek Him until He baptizes you with the Holy Spirit. He will empower you so you can sit up on January 1st, stretch and proclaim: “Good morning 2007, with God’s help, I just know this is going to be a Happy New Year!”
To complicate matters, many of us are not careful to appreciate the daily miracles and blessings God sends our way. For example, it is somehow easier to complain about the failures of our political leader, our boss or our family members than it is to celebrate their strengths and their positive impact on our lives. So, in a sub-conscious effort to protect our hearts and maintain emotional equilibrium, we often opt to expect bad things so we will not be disappointed when bad things happen. It simply takes more courage and energy to risk believing that good things are around the corner. In short, since it feels “safer” to fellowship with sorrow and pain rather than to hope for joy and progress, it might be that we - too easily - give up the happiness to which faith could lead us.
With all that said, I pose the questions: Is it realistic to believe for a Happy New Year? Are we “chumps” to anticipate good days ahead?
I think we would be chumps not to expect a happy new year. 2007 is a clean slate… a fresh piece of paper… a blank canvas… a new digital file! It has all the potential of a new job, a new semester, or a new house. We can all make a fresh start.
If you are skeptical or lack the courage to believe for a good year, maybe you would be interested in a little extra boost to help you tackle the coming year with optimism and hope; the kind of boost that even the disciples of Jesus needed. Jesus’ disciples are honored and respected for the positive impact they had on our world, but they, too, faced the dilemma you and I face. They wanted to believe in a bright future. They tried to live right and do right. But even Jesus disciples needed a little extra boost.
St. Peter might be the most prominent example. He was a blue collar worker who eventually became a great leader of first century church. This man loved Jesus. At one point he optimistically and boldly proclaimed that he would die for Christ. When Jesus was arrested, however, Peter cursed and denied that he knew Jesus. Then, along with most of the other disciples, Peter ran for his life when Jesus was crucified. While Jesus lay in the grave Peter was so disappointed that he decided to return to fishing. He believed, but he lacked courage.
Then came a fresh start. Jesus rose from the dead, commissioned his disciples and then told them to go to Jerusalem and wait for the power they would need to make the most of this fresh start. Acts chapter 2 records the event. Peter, the disciples, Jesus’ mother and those praying with them in the “upper room” were believers and followers of Christ, but on the Day of Pentecost He moved into their hearts and gave them power. They were baptized with the Holy Spirit. As a result, they spoke in other languages as the Spirit gave them utterance. Peter promised this same experience to “as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:39) This was the power to start fresh; the power to go forward in troubled times.
Maybe this is the kind of boost you need. If so, do what the first century Christians did: pray… wait on God… seek Him until He baptizes you with the Holy Spirit. He will empower you so you can sit up on January 1st, stretch and proclaim: “Good morning 2007, with God’s help, I just know this is going to be a Happy New Year!”
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