Main Street Baptist Church

(Wed., Dec 31, 2008)   At the end of each year I find myself looking back over the past year and ahead to the new year. It sort of helps me keep my bearings – where I’ve been and where I’m going. As I look back on 2008 some thoughts dome to mind.

THE WORLD ISN’T GOING TO GET IT RIGHT.

Greed by borrowers, lenders and many others has lead to an economic crisis. Now they are trying to solve what has resulted without giving up the greed that has caused. They aren’t getting it right.

‘Spirituality’ is in but Jesus is out. People will turn to anything and everything for answers – anything but Jesus. Clearly this is Satan’s world system at work. People aren’t getting it right.

CHRISTIANS OFTEN DON’T GET IT RIGHT

We are very slow to learn that blessing is not found in circumstances, in things, in large numbers or in appearance. It is only found in a deep personal intimacy with Jesus. We have a hard time getting this one right.

Christianity is not a lifestyle but an intimate relationship with Jesus. It’s not about how to get more from God but how to give more to God. Will we ever get this one right?

I DON’T ALWAYS GET IT RIGHT

Growing in intimacy with God is my main goal, not church work.

Connecting with God is what counts, not being busy for God.

Holiness gets harder, not easier. Sin gets more subtle.

BUT I AM GETTING IT A LITTLE MORE RIGHT EACH YEAR

I don’t see daily growth, but looking back a year or two or three does show change. It may not be the outer visible stuff but the roots inside that go deeper in my heart. But the more change there is, the more that is needed. It seems for every step I take, I realize two more that are needed. I’m moving toward the goal, but it seems the goal is moving further away as well.

So what it all comes down to is this: I can’t change the world. I can’t change the church. I can’t even change me. But He can and He will. He promised He would. And there’s no doubt that He will get it right!

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.