the new year

happy new year.

although our christian new year started with the first day of advent, i can't help but embrace the turning of the calendar year. again, it invites us to reflect on the past year and look forward to new beginnings. there is an inherent hopefulness that comes with the first day of a new year for me. somewhat selfishly, i am hopeful for good health and fulfilled desires for my family, friends and me. i am also hopeful that the church will open itself to be led by the Holy Spirit so that it can be bold in sharing the gospel and caring for those in need. really, the list goes on and on...

as i continue to muse on my hopes today, i am meditating on ecclesiastes chapter 3. i am reminded that there is a perfect time for everything. it causes me to wonder what season i'm in and what season i'll find myself in in 2010. verse 11 says,

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

i can't fathom what God has done and what God will do. i am hopeful for specific things for this new year, but i will also try to imagine the big picture and embrace whatever season i find myself in, knowing that God has a plan for me that is good. i hope that my family, friends and the church as a whole can rest in the same truth.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.

15 Whatever is has already been,
and what will be has been before;
and God will call the past to account.