Well the new year is just around the corner. 2017 was a dichotomy, “best of times, worst of times” kind of year. On the up side we’ve had some growth both numerically and spiritually, I believe. On the downside we’ve had people pass away and periods where more than a few of us struggled with some pretty major illnesses and other problems. Through it all, we got to see God’s faithfulness over and over again. This is the conundrum of the Christian life. We’d just as soon never experience the things that prove the faithfulness and power of our God. Please remember, God is faithful and independence is an illusion. We are totally dependent on God in good times and bad, so it’s best to keep our eyes on Him at all times.
One thing that too often happens is we see good times as a sign of God’s favor and hard times as a sign of God’s displeasure, and in some cases even His abandonment. This is rarely the case. To prove this we need to look no further than the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Surely no one in history lived a life more pleasing to God and yet His suffering is undeniable. Jesus Himself reminds us “In this world you will have trouble…” I often call this the promise of God that none of us want Him to keep. The good news is, the verse continues, “…but take heart, I have overcome the world.” At another point, Paul calls us “more than conquerors through Him (Jesus Christ) who loves us. All of us will face things that need to be overcome and conquered in this life. The good news is you never have to face them alone. If you’re in a time trial, know this: God has not abandoned you. He is by your side and your church family should be with you as well.
As we look to this new year, I pray it’s blessed for you. I pray for good things to continue to happen in your life and I pray that God will be glorified in you. If you’re reading this and you’re not already part of our Springfield family, or if you’ve been away for a while, I’d like to welcome you, or welcome you back. There is a place for you in this body of believers. Come learn and grow with us as we follow our Lord together in the coming year.