To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. – Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Well, we’ve just recently celebrated the birth of our glorious savior. The One who willingly left his Father and home in heaven to come down to earth to be born, to live and ultimately die in my place and yours because of His eternal love for all of mankind.

It always amazes me during this time of the year – this one time of year – how people tend to treat others with a little more kindness, seem to smile a little more and are wiling to help those less fortunate around them. While there is certainly nothing wrong with any of these whatsoever, I always ponder of why we as God’s children cannot continue this 24/7 – 365 days of the year. Now, for the unbeliever, the one that has yet to taste of God’s goodness and ask Him to forgive their sins and become born again, this is certainly understandable. But we as believers are to be God’s light reflecting His image to them much like the moon reflects light from the sun.

Dear saint, let us recommit ourselves as we are about to enter a new year and choose to deny more of ourselves and think about what our true mission is. Jesus said in John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments…” I guess the question we all need to ask ourselves here  is do we truly love the Lord as we say we do?

I’ve also been pondering during this season that not everyone is experiencing the joy and celebratory experience that so many of us are such as:

While some are celebrating the newness of marriage, some are experiencing the painful death of theirs.

While some are rejoicing over a newly received job, some of desperately praying for one that has yet to materialize and when their next paycheck will come.

Some are praising God over the addictions that they have been set free from, while others continue to be shackled and yet to be set from theirs.

Some are enjoying the the newness of life being recently born in their family, while others are mourning the recent loss of their loved one who have recently gone home.

Some have recently enjoyed the love, care and warmth of spending Christmas with their family while there were countless ones which were alone and even out in the cold with no one.

The list can surely go on…

My friend, Jesus came for all. Not just for a chosen few who think they have it all together because of their natural abilities, gifts, degrees on the wall, looks, social status, whatever…., Jesus loves people…ALL people. Without Jesus, you and I might very well could be one of these mentioned above and furthermore, could have been already.

Jesus is a Savior for all seasons of life and He desires to use you and I as His conduits to reach the multitudes to be His hands, feet, voice and channel His gospel to all.

May each of you and your families have a safe, blessed and Happy New Year.

May each of us also reflect on all God has done this past year and enter 2017 with a heart to serve more, love more and become all God has destined us to be.

Remain blessed,