Living Hope for the New Year by Bryan Craig
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:3-4 ESV
It’s that strange time period between Christmas and New Year’s where I always feel a bit of sadness that Christmas is over, but also reflective of the past year and hopeful for the next. One devotional writer calls it a “liminal” period of transition. The last few days, as I’ve wrestled with my thoughts and perspective, the Holy Spirit keeps showing up, reminding me that He’s near. He keeps reminding me that Christmas is not over…that Christ is here, and it is a time of rejoicing.
We were in Tulsa celebrating our 34th wedding anniversary last weekend, and as it fell on a Sunday, we decided to attend worship service at the church in which we were married, First Presbyterian Church in downtown Tulsa. (The picture above is from our wedding night.) It was amazing as the beautiful sanctuary was filled with poinsettias and candles and the seats were filled with friendly faces. To my surprise, they were still celebrating Christmas and the Advent season. It was a traditional service with Christmas hymns sang out of the hymnal and Readings with responses. The traditional hymns have such rich lyrics of contemplation and hope. If you have a chance, go look up the lyrics to Joy to the World, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Angels, from the Realms of Glory, Go Tell It On the Mountain and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. So beautiful.
It truly warmed my heart. At one point, the pastor had the congregation stand and asked if anyone wanted to utter out loud a word of thanks for anything they were feeling grateful for on this day. Missy looked at me, knowing I would speak up, and I got to give thanks for my marriage of 34 years, which started in this very place on this very day. The congregation clapped for us, and the feeling of the love of the Spirit was very evident. I felt like He planned all of this just for me, knowing what my heart needed.
The service was all about Christ’s return. Yes, He came and we celebrated His birth. Just as quickly as He came, He departed. And our hearts long for His return. In the verse from 1 Peter above, he talks of how through Christ’s birth, death and resurrection, we are born into a Living Hope. He says this is imperishable, undefiled, unfading, kept in Heaven for us. Our hope can NEVER be taken from us.
So, for us who Abide in Christ, it is like every day is Christmas. The joy, the peace, the generosity, the celebration, the love, the hope is ever-present. His Spirit reminds us of this every day.
So, in light of His love and hope, rejoice with Him as you look back to 2024, asking Him to show you His fingerprints.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? Psalm 77:11-13 ESV
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:1-5 ESV
As I look back on 2024, I think of so many blessings, and I can’t believe all that happened in one year. Yes, there were challenges and death and suffering, but through it all, there was that Living Hope…always! I’m still reflecting on the Sabbatical I received in July, and how God told me specifically:
“Don’t live in the past…your past insecurities, fears, failures or even your past successes and glory. And don’t live in the future, as if it’s all up to you to figure it out. Live today, in My presence. Abide with Me.”
As I look to 2025 ahead, my mind can quickly start to anticipate what the future might hold, and I pause, take a deep breath, and realize that He will take me where I need to go. He is always many steps ahead of me. All the wonderful things that happened in 2024 were due to Him, and anything wonderful ahead will be in Him. My Hope is in Him.
I do know He is doing a mighty work through Influencers, and I see Him continuing to bring more and more nominal believers into an intimate, abiding relationship with Himself. He keeps sharing His Hope with the world through this ministry, and we will continue to follow His lead.
“The blessedness of waiting is lost on those who cannot wait, and the fulfillment of promise is never theirs. They want quick answers to the deepest questions of life and miss the value of those times of anxious waiting, seeking with patient uncertainties until the answers come. They lose the moment when the answers are revealed in dazzling clarity.”
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Happy New Year, Influencers!
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Revelation 22:20-21 ESV