Standing at the threshold of a new year is exciting and daunting
for the same reason. None of us has got a clue what’s going to happen in the
next twelve months. If we knew exactly what lay ahead of us, life would lack
surprises. Where would be the fun in that? That we don’t know what lies ahead
of us means that we may well be in for some nasty shocks. That’s the daunting
bit. For some fear of the future becomes so crippling that they can’t get on
with life. Telling such people, ‘Don’t worry, it might never happen’ won’t cut
it, because it might. What then?
But it really is no use worrying. It changes nothing, only our
ability to cope with the things that life has in store for us. Someone once
said, “Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength - carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time.
Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its
strength.” That someone was Corrie ten Boon (1892-1983). We might think that
her sentiments are fine if a person has had a carefree life. That certainly
wasn’t the case with Corrie. Her father gave Jewish families shelter during the
German occupation of Holland in World War Two. Their activities were discovered
by the Gestapo. Corrie’s father died after nine days imprisonment in Scheveningen Prison. Corrie and her sister Betsie were sent to Ravensbrück
concentration camp, where Betsie passed away.
Corrie survived. Inspired by her Christian faith she devoted her
life to helping people in need, setting up shelters to care for fellow
concentration camp survivors. During her time in Ravensbrück Corrie had to
learn to trust in the Lord one day at a time. Jesus said, “And which of you by
being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” He assured his followers
that their heavenly Father knew the things they needed and would provide for
them. With faith in our hearts we can face down our fears. As the apostle Paul
reasoned, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his
own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously
give us all things?”
Yes, the future is unknown. Who knows what 2019 will bring in
terms of global events, Brexit, or our personal circumstances? But the Lord
has these reassuring words for those who trust in him, “I know the plans
I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give
you a future and a hope.”
Happy New Year!
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