By the Way: New day, new joy

By Medicine Hat News on January 6, 2018.

It has been said that each year provides us with 12 blank chapters and 365 new opportunities to add or change our life story. As I write this, it is the start of a new year, 2018, and for many, the start of a new day where we can press the ‘reset button’ and start our life fresh on a blank page.

This sentiment is echoed in Psalm 30:5 where the psalmist assures us that though weeping and sorrow may last for the night, joy comes in the morning. Here the promise that “joy comes in the morning” means that though times of sorrow will inevitably come, it is not meant to last forever; we are not meant to stay in our grief. Many times, it is up to us to make a choice to choose life that allows us to begin the journey from sorrow unto joy. I think of Naomi in the Book of Ruth. Naomi understood grief. Her husband and both of her sons died. In spite of her personal tragedies, Naomi heard that Yahweh (the Lord) was on the move in Bethlehem, and made a decision to return, even though her husband and sons were buried in Moab. It is evident that even though Naomi returns to Bethlehem in an attempt to move forward in her life, she is still bitter (Ruth 1:20). This also speaks to the fact that we can make a decision to move past our sorrows and griefs, even if we do not totally feel completely emotionally healed. Regardless of our emotional state, like Naomi, we can make the choice to move forward towards the hope of a new day and a new life.

Also as a direct result of her decision, her daughter- in-law Ruth came with her and received joy and blessing that she would not have received otherwise. It is amazing to me to have seen first hand the power we have to set people free from their past sorrow when we make the decision to walk in faith and joy ourselves. Naomi’s decision to move forward, even though she was still bitter towards the loss of her husband and children, sets her up for the joy and of a new start in life and being able to receive the joy of holding her first grandchild. By making the decision to leave the dead behind, she makes herself available to live in the blessing of new life and new joy.

At the start of this new year, remember that God has placed opportunities of blessing and life for you, and for those whom you love. As you open yourself to hear His voice, allow Him to direct your paths this new year, and allow Him, the Author and Finisher of our faith to fill those 12 chapters with such a story that 2018 will be one that you look with wonder and amazement at God’s goodness and faithfulness. Regardless of the sorrows and dark times that you may have walked through in 2017, I pray that the Lord bless you and keep you in His divine favour and that times of joy and blessings await us all in the days and months ahead.

Scott Raible is a pastor with the Medicine Hat Church of God, and an afternoon announcer on 93.7 Praise FM

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