A picture depicted a man jumping over a gulf to get from one cliff to another. One side was marked 2020 and the other 2021. The gulf was quite wide and it appeared that the man might not quite make the jump. I saw two meanings in the picture. The gulf was wide enough to separate all that happened in 2020 from 2021. So much has happened 2020 that we would like to leave it all behind us praying none of it has to be repeated again in our history, that man can move on in 2021. The second meaning was more ominous. I saw the man was going to struggle getting in to the new year, particularly if he fell into the gulf and did not make it as he may have hoped. WE all know that many of challenges of last year are still with us and we all know that there mostly likely be challenges for us this year. We also know challenges affect the world, our country, our communities, our family, and our very own lives. Many of the challenges overlap into all areas and many challenges our individual to our personal circumstances. Moving from December 31 to January 1 would not change things overnight. I could take the picture I saw and label the gulf as challenges. Hopefully we will overcome the challenges we go through in life whether warranted or not.
But as Christians we don’t face our challenges alone. The moment you trust Christ as your Lord and Savior you receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “I will ask the Father and He will give you another Comforter to be with you forever.” Paul tells us in Ephesians 1:13-14, “When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory.” If Jesus left us a comforter it must have meant we would need comforting no doubt for the challenges we face as Christians in this world. . No one knows what will come our way in 2021. But as Christians we know where our strength comes, where our duty lies, where truth can be found, and where we can be comforted.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Note this passage says we will find rest for our souls. Life is a little easier when you know God is in it. It changes perspective.
I would add one more thing to the picture I mentioned. I would have Christ at the bottom of the gulf with hands lifting upward so that if we should slip somewhat into the gulf, He would give the push we need to get to the other side. Isn’t that what living on this earth moving to get to the other side we see as Heaven? O what a day that will be, when time will be no more!
Be Encouraged and be encouraging, Ray
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