December 26, 2015
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
CONSIDER THIS
As we enter into the Twelve Days of Christmas we also find ourselves on the cusp of a new calendar year. These days between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day can be a time of meaningful reflection if we will give ourselves to it. I know people who try and find a single word to summarize the past year in review. After that, they search for a word they believe can define the year ahead. It’s a good exercise and a challenge for sure.
I’m asking God to give me a word from his Word for this coming year, and I think I may already have it. As you know, these past four weeks I’ve been working to be a little more ahead than usual for the Daily Text. On January 1 we will begin a several week series in the letter of James. As I have prayed and studied and written my way through this very challenging letter a verse from the first chapter won’t let me go. I’ll reserve my reflections for the first days of January, but for now here’s the verse:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4.
This one challenges me to the very core. I get the “trials of many kinds” part, but I don’t yet grasp the “pure joy” part. I think this could be the year. At least I’m praying for this kind of breakthrough in my life and faith. And I would be remiss if I didn’t ask you to pray for me in this way.
So how about you? Invite the Holy Spirit to search out your spirit and lead you to a passage of Scripture, a “lamp unto your feet and a light to your path” for the year ahead. If you would like, shoot me an email and I will be glad to join you in your prayers to this end.
In the meantime, I’ve asked some members of the Seedbed Farm Team to share a reflection along these lines with you. I’ll be introducing four of them to you this week right here. Stay tuned.
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J.D. Walt serves as Seedbed’s Sower in Chief. jd.walt@seedbed.com.
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