Welcoming a New Year

As we welcome a new year, many of us at Vanna UMC are dealing with new circumstances, new realities, new challenges. 2014 was filled with a multitude of changes. No doubt, 2015 will be, too. The totality of each year is nothing more than an ongoing series of beginnings and endings. Seasons come and go. Projects come and go. People come and go. Thankfully, the changing nature of church life is tempered by the presence of a Savior who is unchanging.

Hebrews 13:8 tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. No matter how many changes take place in 2015, we hold the hand and abide in the heart of an unchanging God. We trust in his love and faithfulness. We garner strength from knowing that his eye is always upon his children, his Spirit is always at work in the world, that his word endures and his promises never fail. While I'm not big on making new year's resolutions, Jonathan Edwards, the famous philosopher-preacher, once published two resolutions that are just as relevant today as they were in the 1700's. Edwards wrote, "Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will." As the new year unfolds, it is my prayer that we will all live fully for God in 2015. As we abide in him, God's grace will empower us to give sincere thanks for 2014 and prepare us to gratefully receive all that 2015 holds.

Blessings to all and Happy New Year!

Lacey