OK, how many of you had some type of New Year’s celebration? It’s kind of a tradition in this country. The New Year always brings with it a fresh start, a new beginning, an optimistic outlook. There almost always is a sense of great hope. There are resolutions, goals, objectives and typically a good start to these things. However, some quickly fade. Perhaps the focus is wrong, perhaps the focus is an internal focus.
Maybe we (I) should focus on something greater. Maybe as a foundation I should focus on all that Christ has done rather than all I need to do; maybe that as I focus on all that Christ has done, it will lead me to a fresh perspective, a new grateful attitude and a path for my life.
This brings to mind Luke 4:16-21
16He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,to release the oppressed, 19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
20Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Can you see it; all that was done, all that continues to be done? With our “eyes fastened on Him may we all proclaim this New Year as the year of the Lord’s favor”! May we all with grateful hearts help to spread the good news, proclaim true and eternal freedom; help our friends and neighbors see the truth in Christ freeing them from the oppression of this world!
Grace and Peace
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