In less than 5 hours we will ring in the year of 2014. I have to be very honest with you, when I came to Canada in 1972 I honestly did not fathom what the year 2013 would look like. I was a child and I had a lot of creative thoughts and ideas my mind never stretched to to the year 2000 and beyond. I grew in my love for Jesus Christ and His Word and my one focus and thought was to grow in my relationship with Him. Even when I got married I think my mind was very focussed on that same one thought to grow in my relationship with The Lord, my husband and eventually have children. Can I tell you that for many years although I loved Jesus and I wanted to share my love for Him with others in word and song I was not intentional enough. Over the years and throughout the year 2013 I can see a trend in my life and maybe you can see it in yours too.
For a great majority of us we are looking forward to 2014 because we want to leave behind the painful memories and struggles we have experienced this year. Although we flip the calendar in a few hours we will inevitably draw from the lessons we have learned during this year. For me I will draw several lessons. I share with you one of those – be joyful when faced with struggles. I have a new understanding of the writing of James 1:2
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
I can take everything that appears to be a test or a struggle and consider it an opportunity to be joyful! You may think that is juvenile but it is as though I had a light go off in my heart in recent days. There have been some issues I have been struggling with and rather than learning this I was becoming bitter and angry. I don’t have to be angry! That is what the enemy of my soul wants me to be. I can CHOOSE joy because joy, praise, worship conquers fear. So I go forward into 2014 choosing joy over despair. Love over fear! All things are possible with God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – He reigns and rules the universe and everything that happens and will happen in my life today and always.
To everyone who has ever spoken a kind word, prayed for me and supported my ministry I thank you. To everyone who reads this blog I pray that you will know the God who created us in a personal way. You have been created for a purpose – find it and live it to the fullest because you are not an accident!
Blessings.
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