What Will This New Years Bring?

Jesus Christ was born circa 4-6 B.C. in Bethlehem, just outside of Jerusalem. After the birth of Jesus and the narrative around his first visitors, we get just one glimpse of Jesus as a young boy before the camera stops for nearly twenty years.

Jesus visited Jerusalem at age 12 and became separated from them. He was later found in a temple, discussing religious affairs with some of Jerusalem's elders.

He went home and was obedient to his parents. "And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart." - Luke 2:51

Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist at the Jordan River was one of the first acts of His public ministry. This was the scene of the very first appearance of the Trinity to man. 

We go from baby to pre-teen to grown-up in just a couple of chapters. 

What are we to make of this silent period?

What does this mean for us and our day-to-day life? 

The journey of Jesus is a vision of the Christian life as a journey of transformation. The most important takeaway I want to leave you with this side of the new year is this: God never left Jesus. "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." - Luke 2:40

Our life on earth is a journey. Likewise, God promises you that He will never leave you or forsake you. There will be times when it feels like He has gone quiet. Maybe you are living your own "silent period", but He is always there, always loving on you.

As for the specifics of Jesus's day-to-day life as he "grew and became strong", we are not told anything, but consider this … Jesus knew what God wanted Him to do. 

He was God's man, He was always God's man, but by showing up and doing life in a close relationship with God, He also showed Himself to be a person others wanted to be around.

My encouragement for you today is this … God knows the specifics of what the new year will bring and, if you spend time dreaming with Him, developing your relationship with Him, He will make aspects of the year ahead known to you.

But life is a mixed bag, and we will not ever know everything about what lies ahead. (I am thankful for that. I would rather only live the hard times once, and if I knew about those in advance, I would only waste time worrying about them!)

“Govern everything by your wisdom, O Lord, so that my soul may always be serving you in the way you will and not as I choose. Let me die to myself so that I may serve you; let me live to you who are life itself. Amen.” — St. Teresa of Ávila

You cannot live a faithful Christian life with your own strength. But what you can hold on to is this … God will never leave you or forsake you. Your role is to show up as you, the person God made you to be. 

God knows the alignment of your heart. He knows that you are His woman. You are loved, and there is nothing that can separate you from the love God has for you, as demonstrated in the gift of Jesus, sent as a tiny, helpless baby.

God is the one who sustains our lives and has given to us all good things. Ask God to help you close out the year in celebration of the journey you have been on together over the last 12 months.

The good news of the Bible is that God sent his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world in the form of a man.  It is the perfect time to think about leveraging your God-given talents and resources to make an even more significant impact with the gospel through the upcoming year.

I pray, the most gracious heavenly father blesses the works on your hands. May you prosper and breakthrough on every side, especially if you have been in a silent season.

Blessings and love,

Have a happy New Year!