Looking Forward Expectantly
Dr. John K. Mathew
A year of great expectation, 2020 came to a close, discounting all expectations. We are in the threshold of a new year, it is a year of New Hope, even though the uncertainty of 2020 still continues. However, it is a time of a new beginning.
Often a new beginning requires us to do a survey of sorts – mainly of three aspects. A survey is simply to take a ‘look’ and review.
First of all, it requires a looking back to see where we have been;
Next, we take a look around, to see where we are,
and
Finally, we look ahead to see where we need to go.
We cannot spend much time on the past, although the past does help us gain understanding of life spent. But life must be lived forward:
So let us keep our eye on the road and use our rear view mirror only to avoid trouble. Then look around to find where we are just to move on because as William Ward says there are three enemies for personal peace.
Regret over yesterday's mistakes,
Anxiety over tomorrow's problems and
Ingratitude for today's blessings.
We all have a lot to be thankful for. Aggressively thankful:. Apostle Paul says: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for man in Christ Jesus”. (1 Thess. 5:16-18).
Apostle Paul was a man with a grateful heart. He begins the book of Philippians with a thank you note. He writes, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now”. (Phil. 1:3-5). In Romans chapter 16, he lists the names of so many who were in close contact with him!
Even though we are not sure about the problems and promises of 2021,
let us cast all our concerns upon the Lord Jesus Christ, our soon coming King.
May I conclude these lines with the words of Apostle Paul himself. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”. (Phil. 4:6);
which means,
Careful for nothing
Prayerful for anything and
Grateful for everything.
