Hope-It's what's for 2014! Today is
the last day of 2013. Many people will make New Year's Resolutions- most a halfhearted
attempt to correct some wrong in their life. "I will loose 20
pounds." "I will read my Bible every day." Well if Truth be told
shouldn’t we do all of those things anyway?
Statistics say that the number one resolution
each year is to loose weight. Gyms across the nation find a huge jump in
membership around Christmas time and a large attendance increase during the
month of January. Historically the gyms also find a decline in attendance
around February with March returning to the Pre-Christmas attendance.
Similar attendance rates are found
in most churches as well. We experience an increase in attendance around
Christmas time, usually Christmas Eve. Then in January after school starts back
we pick up and by March we have returned to pre- Christmas attendance with only
a few more attenders.
The search for HOPE, I believe, is
the reason for the season. Christ came to earth as a helpless child, dependent
upon his mother for nutrients and his earthly father for protection. Yet this deity,
this creator of the universe came to provide HOPE for all. That same HOPE who
lived and breathed upon this earth, that HOPE who died and rose again, that
HOPE is available to each of us today. This day! We do not have to wait until
tomorrow to find HOPE. We do not have to wait until midnight to proclaim our
resolution and determination to follow the KING of KINGS more closely.
If you are like the vast majority
of breathing humanoids currently alive on this planet then you are hoping that
tomorrow will come and provide a fresh start. You are hoping that next year
will be better. You are hoping that your work, personal or financial problems
will be fewer next year. The only chance you have for HOPE, for a better year
next then this past one is in Christ alone! Don’t try to do this half hearted.
Don’t try to do this alone. Don’t make a resolution for tomorrow. Listen to THE
GOD, THE Creator of the Universe, THE HOPE that came, died upon the cross- rose
again and is alive right now. HE-The HOPE, is calling out to each of us. Just answer,
“Jesus help me!” and HE will!
