I’m not just stating the obvious when I say the New Year will bring changes and challenges. In everyone’s lives, we expect the natural passage of time to impact us in many ways. Most obvious for me is my wedding. By the time you receive this, I will have married a long-time friend whose path in life has crossed mine several times in the last four decades. Neither she or I expected our paths to converge this late in our lives. I would never have guessed it. And yet, here we are.

In my 50+ years in the ministry (my first real church job began in 1967), I have witnessed unexpected changes not only in my life, but in the lives of the people with whom I have been in ministry. I have seen unexplained death interrupt the lives of counted people. I have seen marital problems explode unexpectedly. I have seen illness weaken otherwise healthy people . On the other hand, I have seen financial gain arrive for people who were not aware it was coming. And I have even been a part of getting an honor bestowed on dedicated but humble people.

The point is that while we expect change, there are always those things that take us by surprise. Some of those things damage our hearts and souls; some of those things can cause pride to swell in our emotions. I have found that no matter the change, prayer can lead us through-honest, depth-of -soul prayer.

My prayer for you is for you to be ready to turn to God in honest supplication, no matter the change. We will always be in need of courage when the unknown strikes; and we will always be in need of humbleness when opportunity gives us overwhelming power or prestige. God can provide it all.

Blessings,

Pastor Michael