For years I’ve wondered at how God places us in a holding pattern between two holidays. I think it’s for the purpose of evaluation. During this time, life naturally slows its pace. It’s a perfect occasion to push the “pause” button . . . and take stock of our lives.
Just think about this last year—or better, the last two or three years. Things haven’t gone at all like you expected, have they? You may be living in a completely different city than where you lived three years ago. In fact, you assumed you would be living in that previous location all your life. But you’ve now come to realize there are other places to live . . . and that God’s grand plan for you includes a complete change of scenery.
Perhaps you haven’t moved, but you now hold positions and exercise responsibilities that you never would have imagined several years ago. Frankly, you may find yourself “between ministries” (that’s what we pastors call “unemployed”), whereas a few years ago your position seemed secure.
For some . . . “tragedy” has struck (from an earthly perspective), and a dark shadow has been cast across your life . . . or perhaps within the life of someone in your family. At such times, it helps to cling to the perspectives of Joseph and Paul, who factored God’s sovereignty into the struggle of their lives (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28 —please stop and read!).
Finally, there are a few of you who can say that these have been years of sheer delight. You have grown and discovered new areas of God’s goodness and God’s world—even regarding your own person—that you never knew before. You have received new insights into the Word of God. You’ve been given a deeper understanding of many in the flock you pastor. Your family and your friends have grown closer.
Whatever we might say about the events of the past few years, we have to confess that most of these things have come without announcement. We really had no way of knowing they would occur. “The mind of man plans his way,” Solomon reminds us, “But the LORD directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).
As we close out the old year and prepare for the new, you and I find ourselves shaking our heads in amazement as we look back . . . and lifting our eyes in faith to heaven as we look ahead.
Truth be told, the future remains a vast, unknown, open space. Yet it lies completely in the hands of our sovereign Lord. “Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases” (Psalm 115:3).
As you step out into the unknown, stay close to Him.
—Chuck
