Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 3-001 (Practical Christian Living)
THE GATE OF THE YEAR
by Ron Clarke
“And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’ And he replied: ‘Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.'”
Those words come from a poem entitled ‘God Knows’ written by Miss Minnie Louise Haskins in Bristol, England in 1908, revived by King George 6th in a broadcast he made during the darkest days of World War 2.
There have always been dark times. Almost three thousand years ago the nation of Israel was going through a time of great moral and spiritual darkness. The future was bleak, depression was rife and restlessness and despair gripped many. Yet God spoke a message of hope to His people: ‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned…For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given…And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’. (Isaiah 9:6)
Centuries have passed and once again the situation is black, perhaps even blacker than before. The world has changed, violence is rife, revolutionary groups are spreading terror, there is the threat of war. Yet God’s message of hope rings out: ‘The rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.’ (Luke 1:78,79).
The gate of the year. Today we commence a New Year. Many people at this time will be thinking about new year resolutions, usually based on a realisation that some aspects of their life currently require change. The trouble with new year resolutions is that we rarely, if ever, carry them through. If we are going to base our walk through life on ill-kept resolutions, then that life will lack purpose and direction.
It’s good to look on the start of a new year as a gate. A gate is something we have to pass through with an intent, an intent to move on to somewhere or to something else. So what is important? If we analyse our day-to-day existence there are perhaps two things before us – two things that demand our attention. One is time, and the other are relationships.
Prioritise your time and your life will assume a very special quality. Forget those trivial resolutions of doing this or giving up that – just think of time and relationships. Cultivate your relationships, particularly within your family, and your life will develop a very special meaning. Learn to trust God because He is our shepherd and we shall not want. Jesus came that we should have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10).
And surround your time and your family with the love of God and this New Year and thereafter will be to you better than light and safer than a known way.
May your New Year reflect the glory of God.
Bible reading: Psalm 73.
– Pastor Ron Clarke JP (Mark 16:15) <>
This is one of a series of weekly messages of encouragement, now in its eighth year, originating from Kingborough, near Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. To subscribe direct, send an e-mail with the words ‘subscribe word’.
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