Revelation 3:20
Jesus said, “Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.”
A new year has just begun. What lies ahead? Where will we be? There are always questions about the upcoming year. For some, it is a relief to have the past year over. It may have been painful or fear-filled or extremely sad. Will the next year be better? I spoke to the young man at a bakery we love to frequent. He was not sure next year would be better or worse. His comment was, “I guess we’ll just have to see.”
Last year at this time, as I entered the Tucson church where we worshiped, the bulletin had an opening prayer of invitation and preparation that moved me.
A new year stands on our doorsteps. With fragile caution we move to open the door for its entrance. Our hearts leap with surprise and joy jumps in our eyes, for there beside this brand new year stands our God with outstretched hand! God smiles and gently asks of us: “can we walk together this year?” And we, so overwhelmed with goodness, can barely whisper our reply: “Welcome in!”
So for this coming New Year, allow God to be with you and be your constant companion. I hope you experience newness and see life in new and surprising ways. God may have some new projects or hopes or ideas for you that will make your life richer and fuller. Perhaps you will gain a new friend. Maybe you will discover a new road to drive or a different trail to hike. Where you find God will depend upon where you look for God! God is there in the world around us and dwells within us. How rich the days and weeks ahead will be if we only notice God’s presence.
Open your heart, mind, and soul to these gifts so that a year from now you can say, “Though many things happened that I did not expect, nevertheless, God was there and continued to walk with me wherever I went.”
God of Hope, you are present whether I choose to notice or not. Thank you. Open my eyes to the possibilities that lie before me in the New Year. Lead me in your ways. Amen
Song: “Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me” by Julie von Hausmann