By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing where he went.
Hebrews 11:8
Today is the first day of 2024. I have heard many comments and read social media posts of those expressing their relief to see the end of 2023, inferring that next year will be better somehow. Will it? Nothing has changed except the date on the calendar.
Our world is still in chaos. Russia is still attacking in Ukraine. Terrorists still seek to wipe Israel off the map and the present conflict has revealed a level of antisemitism that I wouldn’t have believed if I hadn’t witnessed the protests and heard the comments reported. Japan suffered an earthquake today. Home prices are on the rise with higher interest rates, discouraging home buyers, this also means pressure on rentals increases. The cost of living is outpacing the higher wages.
So what will this new year bring?
I have no answers but I know the ONE who does.
The scripture reading talks of Abraham who left his home and all that was familiar to go, not even knowing where it was that God was leading him. I like the way Eugene Petersen describes it:
By an act of faith,
Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home.
When he left he had no idea where he was going.
By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents.
Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise.
Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations –
the City designed and built by God.
Are you walking into 2024 with God or are you traveling under your own power?
God has a plan for your life.
He doesn’t promise that it will be easy but He does promise that it will be worth it!
I don’t know what this year holds but I began the year the way I intend to live this year,
living each day to the fullest,
doing whatever God calls me to do.
For today that meant planting some ginger.
I’ve never grown ginger before but I planted two pots and I’ll watch and wait to see if this is successful.
It also meant dehydrating my carrot crop!
God blessed me with an abundance of carrots this season and I wanted to try out my new dehydrator,
so there will be plenty of carrots to add to my soups and stews this winter.
Let me leave you with these words from Oswald Chambers:
Have you been asking God what He is going to do?
He will never tell you.
God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you Who He is.
Do you believe in a miracle-working God,
and will you go out in surrender to Him until you are not surprised an atom at anything He does?
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