Rev. Richard Smith
January 8, 2024
| Isaiah 40:28-31 Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. |
The start of a new year is, of course, a time when a lot of people think about making resolutions; commitments for living a healthier or happier or more fulfilling life. In and of itself, there is nothing negative about making life-enriching resolutions. The test, of course, is how faithful one is over extended time living up to these efforts.
Just recently I decided that I needed a resolute focus on the ways God is continually working in my life and circumstances, both for my benefit and to more readily accomplish his will.
In the Sunday School class I teach here at First Methodist Frankfort, I shared yesterday that I needed to focus on the spiritual assertion “with God’s help”. That is to say, as I think about changes to make or commitments to renew or behaviors to monitor or ways to love others, I need to readily recognize that none of these resolutions in life can be achieved without God’s help.
When we handle a great challenge this year and realize we’ve faced this challenge with inner strength, it will be most appropriate for us to whisper, “with God’s help”.
When we find ourselves keeping a spirit of hope amidst seemingly hopeless circumstances, it will be most appropriate for us to whisper, “with God’s help”.
When we rise above the divisive language and actions of our culture, it will be proper for us to whisper, “with God’s help”.
When we dare to love those whom others consider misfits or outsiders or wayward individuals, it will be important for us to whisper, “with God’s help”.
Our caring interactive God is ever at work in the ebb and flow of our lives to help us with strength and wisdom and courage and faithfulness. He’s an involved God, not a disconnected God. He’s imminent as well transcendent. From the earliest experiences of our Judeo-Christian faith through the person Jesus through the evolving Christian faith through today’s realities, our God is at work; for our good and for his will.
So this year, in addition to the three wonderful words, “God loves you”, let’s celebrate the promise, “with God’s help”.
