A new year, 2024, has just started. Welcome to the first SNL of 2024. We have heard the sayings – a mountain is climbed step by step or make hay whilst the sun shines. The first means, go slowly to achieve your goals, and the second is, achieve your goals whilst you can; you won’t always be able to. We all have plans that we make; travel, college, live abroad, stay at home, get married, have children – so many different plans. This is well covered in Lk 14: 28-31. Think ahead, plan ahead; it’s being wise. Then we read the seemingly exact opposite in Mt 6:25ff – several times Jesus says do not worry, and do not worry about tomorrow. So in Luke, sit, think, where do you get the money etc.; and in Matthew don’t worry about tomorrow, as today has enough problems. How can we balance this? In the coming year(s) this will be your sickness, this will be what you can’t do, this will be the pain you will get. Jesus says, do not worry about what you have no control over. Yet in Luke, the things that are in your control, think, plan them very well. Many things are in our control; we are required to be diligent in how we approach these aspects of life. Other things, like storms, typhoons, earthquakes, sudden sickness, are beyond our control. It is here that we must trust God, and not to worry. Yet, being human, this is so very hard for us. We know the LORD told Joshua in Joshua ch 1 - do not worry. Many times. Throughout all Scripture we are encouraged to trust in God. Our thoughts tend to worry and stress, and these actually make many situations worse. Some people facing their mountains just give up. Others face their mountains with dignity. We may well struggle privately, its normal; but to the world we show our strength and faith and hope and trust in Christ. The test and trial must come, so we can know our true Christian strength. Acts 14: 22 through many trials we must enter the kingdom of God. Yes, they must come. It’s as if life is not hard enough, we need more problems. Yet, in all of these the principle remains, you reap what you sow. In your life, it is good to always be there to help others, for one day you too will be in need. And then you will see how God provides people to see you through your difficulties. I know a person who was in great difficulty. Needed help; yet was abandoned by the very people who should have been his strength. They missed out on the blessing of helping, the one they should have. But God had other plans. Someone else was to receive the blessing that should have been theirs. Let us see difficult situations for one person, as our opportunity to help. Onwards to 2024.
MCC Admin