Things Closest to Us

Rains had kept us indoors for much of the two weeks and when the sun comes up, we see it as a chance for some tennis or golf. This time though, I decided to go to my backyard late in the afternoon and tend the fruit trees that I have planted two years ago. It was also a time to repair the dirt steps that I built for easier access to our hillside garden.

I must have enjoyed flexing my muscles without pausing from the work I was doing so that after about two hours, I looked to the west and my eyes were greeted by a spectacular sight. Aa glorious sunset presented itself right before my very eyes. I was so delighted by this beautiful scene which I had not witnessed before from that section of our property. I stopped for a moment to thank God for such beauty and for eyes that are able to see and appreciate these things.

As I continued to dwell on this wondrous sight another thought crossed my mind. It struck me that there are many tings around us that are so grand and so majestic and yet we have not noticed them simply because we haven’t taken the time to slow down and open our eyes to them. We travel to distant lands and spend tons of money in search of beautiful things to gaze at and wonder upon. But many of these beautiful things are just right around us, if we know where to look and if we slow down and take the time to appreciate them.

So, let us slow down, open our eyes and look and see and appreciate such things God has placed before our very eyes. He is trying to reach us at every moment and let us be sensitive to His messages.

A New Year with the Lord

As we begin the New Year, I encourage you to start with the promises of God and a resolve to continue only under His divine direction. The following poem by M.S. Lowndes is inspiring.

A New Year with The Lord

A new year is about to unfold
With new opportunities to explore
Doors will open for new experiences
New adventures with the Lord

Remember not the former things
The things of this past year
The Lord will do new things in us
Much more than we are aware

For He will make a way for us
As we put our trust in Him
And He will guide our every step
By His presence we have within

What God has placed within our hearts
We find we’ll be able to do
If we look for the opportunities
We’ll see the door to go through

We mustn’t let anything hold us back
But rise up and take our place
And be all that God wants us to be
With a fresh touch of His grace!

In Isaiah 43: 18-19, the prophet encourages God’s people by assuring them that the Lord will do great things for them- new things, wonderful things for as long as they forget the “things of old” and trust only in the guidance and direction of the Lord.

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert.”

These promises for Israel of old are promises for us too especially as we turn the pages of the old and bring in the new.

Happy New Year to all!