Happy New Year! Even if you aren’t the type of person who makes resolutions or sets goals for the new year, I have a hunch that you have some hopes as you set your heart and mind on the next twelve months.
On New Year’s Day, our senior high students settled into the church for a 12-hour lock-in. It was an opportunity at the beginning of a new year to gather for an overnight filled with games, worship, connection, food, and maybe even a little sleep.
Part of our worship moment was spent looking back at the past year and trying to come up with one defining word. Here are some of the words our teens used to summarize 2018.
Relentless. Unsettled. Messy.
Healing. Dysfunctional. Revolutionary.
Burdened. Change. Rollercoaster.
Melancholy. Learning. Disquieting.
Confusing. Tragedy. Blessings.
Frustrating. Unharmonious.
Tumultuous. Work. Discovery.
As you can see, it was a year with mixed emotions and experiences. The politics of national government, international affairs, and social issues collided with friendships and dating relationships. There was pressure to keep up with classmates and meet family expectations. Busy calendars bulged even more when the demands of extra-curriculars, work, and college visits were added. In addition, remember that these youth are part of our congregation. Whatever we experienced this year as a faith community, they did, too.
We also spent time looking to the future. On the threshold of a brand new year, they shared a word about the coming twelve months.
Overwhelmed. Growth. Uncertainty.
Important. Terrified. Hope.
Peace. Joy. Pressure.
Prepare. Improvement. Busy.
Aware. Simple. Unpredictable.
Relief. Excitement. Crazy.
How are you approaching this year? Is there a word that comes to mind? Are you hopeful and grateful or hopeless and anxious? Do you think it will be a year stacked with goodness or loaded with burdens? Is your glass half full or half empty as you jump into January?
God has a word for us. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid…for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV). Long ago, this passage was written as a word of encouragement when Moses was handing leadership over to Joshua and God’s people were stepping into new territory. They didn’t know what the future would hold, but were reminded of God’s loving and guiding presence.
As we step into a new year and make plans for renewal and/or transformation, God goes with us. None of us knows what this will year hold, but we go forward in confidence with God and with one another!
Trusting the Word!
Pastor Lowell