“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be
any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Philippians 4:8
I once read
a book on Harry Houdini. He was described as possessing a spirit of alacrity.
What a great word. Its definition is that of “briskness, a cheerful readiness.”
Who’s tired
already?
Indeed, this
is the time of year when many of us are exhausted. Year’s end, overstimulated
holidays, stress and whatever personal inventory of failures have all left us
too tired to do much of anything, much less, anything requiring a brisk,
cheerful readiness.
And now, of
course, we have a new year to think about.
Great.
At the risk
of trotting out clichés, it is possible
to start anew. Whatever the past year represents, it is history. The Most High’s very much present, here and now, as well
as in the future. And He still makes things new…
“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall
spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:19
Still, for
those of us, weary from life and ourselves at large, this “new” talk seems far
from our grasp. We may not feel up to the task of “new.” We may feel we’re too
weak or inadequate.
And, to
that, Elohim has a very direct response…
“And he said unto me, My grace is
sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly
therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may
rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
Fortunately,
our Creator does not depend on our perfection or strength. Nothing would get
accomplished if that was the standard.
So, the
wakeup call we need to bear in mind is the difference between our thoughts
(feelings) and that of The Most High’s.
“For my thoughts are
not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My
ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the
Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
And that
includes the “new,” new year included.
It may be
too much for you to entertain right now. That’s okay. That’s where an act of
faith comes in.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of
what we do not see."
Hebrew 11:1
The mere
fact that you’re struggling indicates there’s faith in you. You’re still here,
there’s a reason for that reality. Your life is not solely up to you, anyway.
Take that to your weary heart…
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye
believe in God, believe also in me.”
John 14:1
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I
give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27
And so,
dare, this next year, this new year,
to believe The Most High has amazing things for you.
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above
all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
Ephesians 3:20
Dare to meet this year, your life and
Elohim, armed with your very own sense of alacrity.
Be cheerful;
be ready for all He has for you!
“But as it is written, ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared
for them that love him.’”
1 Corinthians 2:9
Copyright © 2020 by
Sheryle Cruse
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