Life Goals

Today is the last day of the calendar year. What a great time to look back over the year and see how well – or not – we have followed the Lord. In the course of a year, we follow the life of Jesus from the moment of his conception to his birth, and his public life which led to his death and resurrection. In some ways, it's too bad that the calendar year and what is called "the liturgical year," don't coincide. So we end the year with the celebration of Jesus birth, spring brings his death and resurrection and the summer has most of his public life! But the timing really doesn't matter; what matters is the looking forward to his return and also looking back at the year we just lived and examine our progress in faith

Over the past year, how did God answer your prayers? When did you experience God in the joyous moments? How did you experience God's help when you called upon him? When did God show you his forgiveness? When did he help you to forgive?

Recalling all of these experiences, and more, will help to give us a firmer resolve to do even better in the year to come. This also might be a good time to think about our actions that might have caused another person pain. It is difficult to avoid hurting people, especially those whom we love, because they expect more from us. The hurt is often unintentional, but it's there and we often don't even realize what we've done. More than once, someone has promised to do something and then promptly forgot. I bet I have done the same. As the year ends, I need to ask forgiveness and if that's not possible, then I need to pray for those whom I have hurt. What about you?

Sheep are vulnerable in the presence of a wolf, just as we are vulnerable in the presence of sin. God has made sure we are not defenseless! He sent Jesus to be the salvation of our sins; He is the way, the truth, and the light! The Holy Spirit guides our hearts to scripture and arms us with wisdom to protect our spirits against evil.

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”