One of the most exciting times of the year is the week of December 31st. It’s the end of the year and we will either consciously and/or unconsciously take stock of the year gone by. The High Holy Days is a week much the same. The High Holy Days is a week long Hebraic festival celebrating the Jewish New Year and it is a sacred time to take stock of our lives and to make things right with God and man before entering into His judgement for the days which are to come.
We stand to learn something from this approach to the New Year. When we approach it mindful of our relationship with God and His will for our lives, we should experience a shroud of sacredness fall upon us. This sacred place will fill us with a desire and expectation to stand in the presence of God because in His presence is love, new life, hope and healing. When we are TRULY in His presence it will graciously bring us to a position of humility and truth which in turn, will bring us to repentance. True repentance will effortlessly escort us to submission. When we are fully submitted to God the presence of peace and the love of the Father is ever present. The HOPE that it brings is beyond what we can imagine because with God, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE and because He is a God of second chances, redeeming and reconciling all things by His power and not our own, the unimaginable becomes attainable.
So, what did you hope to accomplish this year? What relationship didn’t work out? What job did you lose? What plan fell through? What sickness took you by surprise? What friend, relative or child disappointed you this year? Well, do you know that you can write a new future for all of this? Do you know that the power of God is greater than your own strength and able to make ALL THINGS work together for your good (personally, spiritually, emotionally, physically, professionally) if you TRUST Him.
This season of the New Year should be a most exciting time of introspection, retrospection and expectation. In Christ, it is not about counting all the misfortune, disappointments, mistakes, hurts and losses. It is instead about what Jeremiah 29:11 speaks of:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
May this season of our New Year be one of new awakening, transformation and spiritual alignment in greater measure then 2016. May you experience a new layer of the New Life in Christ in 2017. May you discover the faith to see yourself as God sees you and find the courage to be what God has called you to be no matter where you are in life, how old you are or what you’ve done. A New Year starts NOW! Which means a new season can BEGIN.
Love & Blessings,
Karen Gaithers
The Apostolic Institute
Karen Gaithers-Life Discipleship 