Being Present in the Moment with God in the New Year

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

As the new year approaches, I have almost on queue begun to take inventory of what changes I should be considering for 2019, you know, making things better in all aspects of my life. Beyond temporal matters, there always room for improvement in the spiritual realm, with an improved prayer life as an area of opportunity for me, and of course closing any gaps between what I proclaim, and how I live out my walk with God.

I just heard a popular Christian evangelist speaking on the radio to the need for believers to learn to wait for God to answer prayers and to walk more confidently, knowing that God truly has our best interests at heart. There is tendency to think that a lack of answer to prayer somehow relates to a lack of worthiness, or because of some unresolved sin in our lives. Some may look at their neighbor who appears to be living wild and recklessly, apart from God, yet seems to be showered with many blessings. I sense the evil one, Satan, likes to pounce on the believer who is feeling let down by God, thinking that God’s favor is lacking, so why struggle so hard to be holy, just to be disappointed.

Truly, all things in God do work together for those who love God, and act in according with His will and purpose. I have prayed about important matters in my own life, or for some urgent special intention, and I sense that God has heard my pleas, yet I am gently nudged along to keep at it, in the vineyard of life, so to speak, blooming where I am planted, taking care of what is in front of me, and God will answer my prayers, while I replay in my head the refrain “God may be late, but He’s always on time”.

It’s great to make resolutions in the new year, and look ahead confidently, although I see the real mission in 2019 as being present in the moment with God, taking each day to be an instrument for good in our families and our communities. God reveals His will and purpose day by day, giving us the sustenance needed (“our daily bread”) to sharpen our witness so we might bring others to know and experience the hope of salvation through the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.

We read in Matthew 6:34 to “not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”. For me, this is good advice when making resolutions for 2019.

Have a Blessed Sunday and Happy New Year!

Joe