Good Morning and Happy New Year Everyone!
Yes, yes, I know. It's been a long time! I'm still here--have just been super busy since I last posted. We had a very good Christmas, though, as all of my siblings and their families and our parents were able to meet together at my older sister's house in Florida. This is not as easy as it might sound, as one sister is a missionary overseas, and my brother is out in Arizona so we are spread far and wide. In fact, this was the very first Christmas ever that our entire family was together ever since we kids grew up and left home, which has been 25-30 years ago! So it was very special indeed!
And today marks the beginning of a new year. A fresh beginning. A new page in our life's journey. Do you like to make New Year's resolutions? I do not usually make a written list of resolutions, as I know only too well how difficult it can be to completely stop or start doing something. But even though I do not make formal resolutions, that does not mean I do not take some time to reflect on the past year, and to pray about the new year coming.
In my reading this morning, I came across a special letter that I wanted to share parts of with you. It is rather lengthy, so I will be selecting paragraphs out of it to share, but if you would like to you can always go and read the letter in it's entirety since it is published in a book called "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 2, by Ellen G. White. The letter begins on page 261, and is actually a letter that Ellen White wrote to her son on his birthday, when he turned 19 years old. But even though it was written as a birthday letter, the truths in it are just as applicable when thinking about starting a new calendar year as well.
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"Another year of your life closes today. How can you look back upon it? Have you made advancement in the divine life? Have you increased in spirituality? Have you crucified self, with the affections and lusts? Have you an increased interest in the study of God's word? Have you gained decided victories over your own failings and waywardness? Oh, what has been the record of your life for the year which has now passed into eternity, never to be recalled?
"As you enter upon a new year, let it be with an earnest resolve to have your course onward and upward. Let your life be more elevated and exalted than it has hitherto been. Make it your aim not to seek your own interest and pleasure, but to advance the cause of your Redeemer. Remain not in a position where you ever need help yourself, and where others have to guard you to keep you in the narrow way. You may be strong to exert a sanctifying influence upon others. You may be where your soul's interest will be awakened to do good to others, to comfort the sorrowful, strengthen the weak, and to bear your testimony for Christ whenever opportunity offers. Aim to honor God in everything, always and everywhere. Carry your religion into everything. Be thorough in whatever you undertake.
". . . Be not deceived. God is not mocked. Nothing but holiness will prepare you for heaven. It is sincere, experimental piety alone that can give you a pure, elevated character and enable you to enter into the presence of God, who dwelleth in light unapproachable. The heavenly character must be acquired on earth, or it can never be acquired at all. Then begin at once. Flatter not yourself that a time will come when you can make an earnest effort easier than now. Every day increases your distance from God. Prepare for eternity with such zeal as you have not yet manifested. Educate your mind to love the Bible, to love the prayer meeting, to love the hour of meditation, and, above all, the hour when the soul communes with God. Become heavenly-minded if you would unite with the heavenly choir in the mansions above.
"A new year of your life now commences. A new page is turned in the book of the recording angel. What will be the record upon its pages? Shall it be blotted with neglect of God, with unfulfilled duties? God forbid. Let a record be stamped there which you will not be ashamed to have revealed to the gaze of men and angels."
Greenville, Michigan, July 27, 1868
Testimonies for the Church Vol. 2
p. 261-268, Ellen G. White
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Isn't that letter inspiring? And sobering? All at the same time. The time is now--right now, this minute. And the goal is Him. Jesus. Abiding in Him. Working in Him. Communing with Him. Everything is Him.
A lot of people you see on Face Book choose a word for their word of the year. I think that is a neat practice, though I have not participated in that myself. But I think if I were going to, I would have to choose instead a word of my life, and that word could only be "Jesus." For that is what I want, this year, next year, and every year after that. Jesus.
And deep down, isn't that also what you want?
Because if we have Him, we have everything.
And without Him, nothing else matters.
Have a beautiful day with your Savior. And may you grow closer to Him than ever before in this New Year.
~Susan
