With 2016 now finished, we emerge into 2017, reflective and unsure of the future; yet optimistic in our outlook to God. In Greek mythology the months of the year were named after various gods and January was named after the Greek god Janus that had one head but two faces; with one facing backwards at the past and the other facing forwards to a future. The past, representing all that had passed and the other face representing all that was to come. There are things of the past that we cannot change and there are things in the future that we have not yet seen.
There are mistakes we have made in the past and regrets that we may have. Losses we may have experienced along with hurts and disappointments but despite these God has afforded us another year to see more, do more, be more and achieve more than we have in the previous year. In 2016 we have seen great highs and lows, we have seen the joys and the pains, sorrows that are embroiled in the thing we call life. In 2016, the highs and lows included the loss of David Bowie and George Michael, the UK voting for Brexit and the stepping down of David Cameron and moving in if Teresa May as PM, Tim Peak in Space and Donald Trump voted in as the next President of USA; amongst the losses were those of our beloved brethren whom we said goodnight to both locally and across the District.
As we begin 2017, lets remember that old Chinese Proverb:
A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.
Regardless of how 2016 has been for you, we can look forward with great optimism. The apostle Paul states ‘forgetting those things which are behind us… This year, let us use the bad and the sad thing of 2016 as a platform to build on; and let us use the joys and the highs as a reminder of God’s goodness and mercy, as we pursue new goals and endeavours for 2017.
Set yourself a challenge, not a resolution, for 2017 to be a better ‘you’ so that God can have the glory in your life and be exalted in all that you do.
Happy New Year 2017!
