What a Difference a Second Makes...

Next Tuesday night people all over the world will count backwards and then blow noise makers and kiss. Kind of weird behavior when we take it out of context...

None the less, most people give special significance to the changing of the calendar. It provides an excuse to change our behaviors, dream new dreams, and generally "start over".

Some of us have a hard time looking forward with joyful anticipation. Looking backwards is more comforting when we focus on "the good 'ole days".  After all, when we look backwards we can focus on the good times (usually with some selective memory adjustment that conveniently forgets the less-than-perfect details).  I'm a part of a few nostalgia-focused groups on Facebook that are a lot of fun and bring to mind warm memories of a "simpler time".  However, I'm pretty sure that if I actually time-traveled back to those days I'd come to realize that they weren't quite as "good" as I remember.

So we are left looking ahead with anticipation of what's yet to come.  Although we can sometimes be beaten down by our circumstances and pessimistic about what the future holds, scripture gives us every reason to be optimistic since God is on our side.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. 
“They are plans for good and not for disaster, 
to give you a future and a hope." 
Jeremiah 29:11

Our hope lies in our confidence that God is always present and at work in our lives and using the circumstances we go through for our growth and benefit. That can only be experienced as we fully trust and follow Jesus.  We can't know what the future year of 2014 holds, but we do know that God holds the future - and it's a future full of hope!

As I think about the coming year, I believe that God has some wonderful things in store for CCC and each of us. I hope you'll be able to join us this Sunday, December 29th, as we look ahead to the future with the promise that God is doing something brand new.