THOUGHTS FOR A NEW YEAR (Matthew 6)

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (Matthew 6:34, Message)

This is the time of year when we look toward making new Year's resolutions. I've grown out of the habit. Aside from buying to keep myself on track and losing them after a few months. . .I do plan towards specific events. I have book deadlines to meet, and I would like to improve to the point where I can attend my oldest daughter's high school graduation in May.

What intrigues me about Jesus's words here is this: He advises against resolutions. Don't be so caught up in your plans for the future that you miss what is going today.

With my last birthday, I entered my sixtieth year. I am officially by any definition a "senior." (Even if I do know several residents here old enough to be my mother.)I am restricted. Dreams that I had for the future will dangle out of reach, unless my health improves.

In other words, I felt put out to pasture, without purpose.

Then I asked God for new dreams. He doesn't expect me to spend the rest of my life waiting to die. He has a purpose for me here and now. My job is to find it.

In the words of Henry Blackaby in Experiencing God, "Find out where God is at work, join Him there."

If I overlook the work God is doing around me, instead planning for a future ministry--I have lost out on God's best.

"Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions." (Matthew 6:32, Message)

That's a New Year's Resolution we can all use.