Finishing the year
In his message last week Ps Steve began by urging us to finish the year strong, with the strength God gives.
It has been a difficult year. For many it has been a year of trauma and bereavement, as Covid-19 has caused premature deaths. For all of us there has been an interruption and shock, at least, and a bereavement in the sense of limitations being imposed. Everyone has been affected somehow. It is right and important to recognise the pain and feel it, to lament the loss.
If we try to short circuit that lamenting and grieving, and suppress the emotion, then the pain lies unresolved. It niggles us under the surface until something else triggers it, and then it is harder to deal with it. If we wallow in emotion, however, not allowing the Holy Spirit to help us or lead our emotions, then we lose hope and direction.
Through it all, as Christians, we have faced the choice - will we be led by the Spirit and strengthened by the Spirit at work in our hearts?
As we look towards next year, we probably feel a mix of emotions and maybe we have a mix of hopes and fears too. God promises to give us strength and hope as we seek Him. “Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31). This is not waiting passively but actively fixing our attention on what he says in scripture and in our hearts.
We usually think of “next year” as starting on 1st January but the last Sunday of November when Ps Steve's message was preached was Advent Sunday. It marks the beginning of the church year in those churches that use liturgy and keep the traditional seasons.
Advent, the season leading up to Christmas, is all about actively waiting. Not waiting for Christmas and celebrations but waiting for Christ to come to us now. Yes, we remember how Jesus came as a man. But we also think of how He will come again in glory to complete the new creation - the God/man and Judge will put all things right! And we invite Him to come by His Spirit now.
As we look towards the end of this year and start of a new year, whether starting with Advent or January, let’s set our hearts and minds to wait for God.
- Chris Horton
It has been a difficult year. For many it has been a year of trauma and bereavement, as Covid-19 has caused premature deaths. For all of us there has been an interruption and shock, at least, and a bereavement in the sense of limitations being imposed. Everyone has been affected somehow. It is right and important to recognise the pain and feel it, to lament the loss.
If we try to short circuit that lamenting and grieving, and suppress the emotion, then the pain lies unresolved. It niggles us under the surface until something else triggers it, and then it is harder to deal with it. If we wallow in emotion, however, not allowing the Holy Spirit to help us or lead our emotions, then we lose hope and direction.
Through it all, as Christians, we have faced the choice - will we be led by the Spirit and strengthened by the Spirit at work in our hearts?
As we look towards next year, we probably feel a mix of emotions and maybe we have a mix of hopes and fears too. God promises to give us strength and hope as we seek Him. “Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31). This is not waiting passively but actively fixing our attention on what he says in scripture and in our hearts.
We usually think of “next year” as starting on 1st January but the last Sunday of November when Ps Steve's message was preached was Advent Sunday. It marks the beginning of the church year in those churches that use liturgy and keep the traditional seasons.
Advent, the season leading up to Christmas, is all about actively waiting. Not waiting for Christmas and celebrations but waiting for Christ to come to us now. Yes, we remember how Jesus came as a man. But we also think of how He will come again in glory to complete the new creation - the God/man and Judge will put all things right! And we invite Him to come by His Spirit now.
As we look towards the end of this year and start of a new year, whether starting with Advent or January, let’s set our hearts and minds to wait for God.
- Chris Horton
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