What kind of world do we live in? How do we progressively
move forward in a world confronted by multiple contradictions of kidnappings,
violence, massacre, trauma, devastation, family crisis, destitution, hunger and
starvation? How do we survive in an angry, ungrateful and aggressive world?
The answers lies not out there, but in ourselves. A wise man once remarked that
a hostile person lives in a hostile world, while a loving person finds it a
loving one. The choice is actually ours! Complete obedience is a choice
to follow God regardless of the consequences. Seeing His will done is more
important than our own comfort and personal ambition. The choice for the way to
greatness and goodness is ours. Zane Grey, the prolific writer of western
novels gives the recipe for greatness thus: ‘To bear up under loss; to fight
the bitterness of defeat and the weakness of grief; to be victor over anger; to
smile when tears are close; to resist disease and evil men and base instincts;
to hate hate and love love; to go on when it would seem good to
die; to look up with unquenchable faith in something ever about to be; That is
what any man can do, and be great’.
Obviously, we all have dark times in our lives when we long
for a little light to cheer us on our way. This is the light and brighter ray
that this New Day and Year emits. As you wake up today, look out of the window
gratefully and say to yourself, I am looking at a brand New Day and a brand
New Year with a positively brand New mind. So be ever determined to make
the most of it assuring yourself that God will give you grace and strength to
sail through. Kathleen Gillium beautifully captures it thus: ‘Let our words be
happy words of love and sympathy; let us speak of kindness and generosity. Do
not let unpleasant things mar or spoil the day; we should then think carefully
of what we are going to say. For words can wound and injure, or they can heal
and bless – so let us try to cultivate the words of happiness’.[1]
As we begin a New Year in this great journey of Faith, trust
is absolutely vital in our relationship with God. Therefore, I encourage you to
follow the Lord and trust His Word. The Christian life rests on a firm
foundation of God’s promises for today and for the future. We can trust
everything that God said because His Word is truthful, faithful, loving and
all powerful (Hebrews 4:12-13; Isaiah 40:11; Roman 8:28; John 3:16). The
Lord always keep His promises.
·
Learn to rely on His faithfulness, and enjoy the peace
and blessing that comes with trust in Him.
·
Let our greatest and most rewarding pursuit be
intimacy with God, with hearts full of thanksgiving and demonstrated by thanks
living.
·
Learn to fight life’s battles through intimate
communion with the Lord.
·
Obey God and leave all consequences to Him
·
Learn to give testimony of God’s greatness and
goodness as you tell your story and make your gratitude lists.
Note that Gratitude is the key
word of this reflection. Genuine gratitude is a wonderful thing.
It takes us into the courts of praise, and once inside, there is something about beholding the one on the
throne that puts a lot in perspective (Philippians 4:6).
So, Let us thank the Lord, praise the
Lord, adore the Lord and glorify Him as never before (Psalm 105), this New Year
because He is our provider and defender, and will always be no matter what. Though
we live amidst doubts and uncertainties, trials and troubles, and at times
wonder and question the reasons and causes for certain senseless tragedies in
the world, we have every reason to praise and thank God always. So, I feel
like thanking you Lord for: for today, for your care and providence, for
love and life, for grace and favor, for
family and friends, for children, young and old, for
benefactors and benefactresses, for teachers and professors, for
rain, sunshine, moon, stars, hills and valleys, thunder and lightning, for
the gift of speech, sight and the sense to feel, hear, smell, and taste, for
the air we breathe and the water we drink, for food and nourishment, for
health and strength to work, for the sweet and bitter experiences
of life, for joy and sorrows, for
hopes and struggles, for tears and laughter, for
light and darkness, for success and failure, for
every little material and spiritual benefits, for every
expression of love, for every act of helpfulness and for the
things, which many take for granted. Thank you Lord
for everything.
We may at the moment be feeling deserted or
rejected by families and friends; we may be experiencing hardship and trials
that can test and shake our faith unless we cling to the truth; let us be
assured that we are never alone. God promised to be with us always (Hebrew
13:5). The sobering question for us is: What does God want me to do this New
Year? God’s promised blessings are real. So following him in all things is
the surest path to favor and spiritual growth. Recognizing His intimate
presence will give us confidence in the midst of challenges and trials. So be
joyful in your union with the Lord, and in all things give thanks to the Lord,
rejoicing over all He plans to accomplish in your life this New Year. When
God steps in and takes charge, all is well.
May this New Year be an opportunity for us to
gracefully grow in the knowledge and intimacy with the Lord who is the Lord of
the Universe and Master of every situation. Have a blessed 2013!
Rev. Fr. Michael Adefemi Adegbola, Director
Media Service Centre, Kaduna, Nigeria 2013
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