We wish each other a “Happy New Year,” all the while wishing we could do more than wish for such happiness.
Like many others, I want to start the year well - focusing on what matters most. The past several weeks however, have been hectic and even frustrating at times for me. It is tempting to dwell on the misses and negatives of the past year and all the challenges I face can even be overwhelming if I choose only to focus on those.
But the Lord reminds me, “Blessed is the man …. Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.” Psa 84:5
I am on a journey, the same as everyone of us going through challenges, but it is the man whose strength is in God who is blessed. As we start the new year, we recognize that we can do more than the clichéd ‘happy new year,’ we can actually bring ‘happiness’ if we turn to the right place.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart”
This year I want make a covenant with God to delight myself in Him through being more open to follow Jesus and to hear His voice, to bring the events of my day to him and dare to believe that He will respond in bringing new opportunities to serve the internationals and casting a fresh vision for eternal impact.
And my prayer for you is that “You may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings.”
that our love will overflow more and more
that we will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.
that we may understand what really matters
that we may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.
that we will always be filled with the fruit of our salvation—the righteous character produced in our life by Jesus Christ
For this will bring much glory and praise to God. (Phil 1:9-11)
As we begin the new year, let us lift our eyes to the God of the nations and worship Him.
In Him we serve,
Allen Tie
National Director, ISMNZ