Join the Journey: A Better Perspective on New Year's
It’s January! The presents have been unwrapped, played with, and perhaps already forgotten. The turkey is all gone; some leftover turkey soup is all that remains of the festive celebrations. The guests have returned home, and the Christmas decorations are packed away. The Christmas tree, if you had a real one, has already been discarded to the edge of the curb. Great hopes of New Year’s resolutions might already be fading, and life picks up where it left off in early December, back to routine and schedules… life goes on.
The thing about New Year's is that it doesn't have to be this way. Yes, go ahead and make New Year’s resolutions and strive to attain new goals and accomplishments – but remain focused on Jesus. In his song, "When the Music Fades, The Heart of Worship," musician Matt Redman writes about a soul open to God. A soul that has stripped away all facade and outer image, a soul that reveals a heart's desire for deeper intimacy with Christ. That’s a better perspective for New Year's, having a heart that strips away all that has built up around it which prevents one from knowing Christ fully. Coming back to the heart of worship is about a renewed walk with Jesus.
Despite the circumstances of life we will face in this new year, and the challenges that will shake us, let us renew our walk with Jesus that overcomes all obstacles. Read the words of Matt's song; better still, listen to the music and reflect on how you will come back to the heart of worship this year. Let this frame our New Year’s resolutions.
When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
Desiring to walk with Jesus anew this year!
Rev. Bill Allan
AGC President