Happy 2017! Now that the Christmas decorations are put away (well, mostly!), we find ourselves settling into reality once more – New Year’s resolutions that seem unattainable, and for many, cold and dreary winter weather. But wait … this is the season of Epiphany! The light of the newborn Messiah Jesus Christ shines brightly – a light in the darkness that cannot be extinguished. A light that promises love, mercy and saving grace. All GOOD NEWS for a new year!
The following is a wonderful little piece taken from the E-devotion I get every day from ELOGOS, written by Pr. Deb Grant:
In the words of the great “theologian” John Lennon, the two basic motivators are love and fear. When we are afraid, we pull back from what life has to offer. When we love, we are open to what life has to offer – passion, excitement, acceptance. We enter together into this New Year with the same choices of love and fear. Do we lean into the life promised to us by Christ, or do we dig our heels in the dirt and look for the exits? Granted, there are some circumstances in which digging in the dirt is a good plan, but walking by faith for a world in need of love requires a new courage. That is what I pray for us all in this New Year! Courage to love!
Our country and our world NEED to find the courage to love, rather than divide and hate. Please take a moment to think about how YOU can be the light of love and acceptance to those around you – especially those who you may, in the past, have considered enemies. I hope 2017 brings you peace and rest! Pr. Rita Bair