[271 words]
The year 2023 is upon us. How shall we approach it? No two people enter into the new year with exactly the same emotions. Some enter with fear and reluctance while others enter with optimism and enthusiasm. None of us can look into the future, for God in his great mercy and wisdom has kept the future veiled from our eyes. Thus, we must make our entrance into 2023 in faith. Paul stated,”For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Looking to the future will be governed by the way we look at the present. Looking around us today we must not permit the successes or the failures of the past to defeat victorious living in the here and now. Neither must we allow the fear of the future to rob us of contentment today. The prayer of serenity should express our attitude: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Today is all we have. The past is gone. The future never comes because it is always made up of todays. Thus, to insure that all of our todays are worthwhile we must be people of faith. The writer of Proverbs admonishes us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). The psalmist wrote: “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalms 118:24).
Roger Massey
via Nettleton church of Christ
Jonesboro, AR