Whew!  2011 was quite the year, wasn’t it?

In this post-Christmas week, we tend to take stock of what has passed by.  There’s a sense of hope and newness in anticipation of the coming year, or maybe an increased dread over how much we’ve spent on presents recently.  Perhaps we’ve experienced a significant loss in the past year.  Or a new beginning.  Or a revitalization.  Or a decline.

Either way, the peaks and valleys of 2011 deserve to be revisited prayerfully, I think.

Have you had a severe low mark this past year?  No matter how painful the valley was, it can be turned – used to give others hope.  Take Psalm 84:6 to heart:  [As they] pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools.  The implication is that we “pass through” the valleys in life.  We were never meant to live there.  It’s too desolate, too far removed from life and people and our sustenance.  And as we go through our pain, our low points, we make it a spring – or a “well” in other translations.  There’s water, life, refreshment left in those places for others to take rest in as they themselves pass through that valley.  Look for others around you who are going through something similar to what you’ve gone through last year, and show them the “spring” you found when you were there yourself.  Turn it into hope for others, and in the process – healing for yourself.

Are you still, as the year turns into the next, still in that place?  There are others who’ve gone through your valley before you – without a doubt.  Remember, Jesus didn’t come and die so we could come to church and sing songs and think deep thoughts about God once a week.  He came to bring freedom.  He came to bring life.  His intention is crystal clear through his Word.  The fight you’re in today was never His intention, but then all that garden of Eden stuff happened.  I know it’s hard, but remember – courage isn’t about being not afraid, it’s about being present even when you are.  And you’re not alone.  That’s what this church of ours is supposed to be for.  For Him, and for each other.  The two aren’t mutually exclusive.  Again in Psalm 84 - For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good [thing] will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.

Are you in a “peak” season?  A time when all seems right with the world, and only goodness seems to follow you?  Awesome!  Enjoy it, revel in it, realize God is responsible for it, and give Him thanks therein.  Maybe share some of your revived spirit and joy with someone still in a fight?  You’re strong right now, and thank God for it.  I think we should use our “spiritual prosperity” in times of goodness to lift others up who aren’t there.  If for no other reason than to remind them that there’s an end to their suffering.  Everyone needs reminders like that.  Even if those who are in pain do what I often do in low times – and see you through jealous eyes.  You know what I’m talking about.  Those thoughts of “Why, God?  Why does so-and-so over there have it all together and I don’t?  Do You love me less, God?  Am I not as spiritual or something?”  You know those internal conversations and how they go.  So in your rejoicing, grab the arm of someone else and lift it up in praise with you (figuratively… let’s not start physically grabbing each other… that might be kinda weird).  Pray for those around you, since you and God are so ‘tight’ right now.  Maybe it feels like your prayers are getting through more than theirs are right now.  That’s not true, but hey… use the enthusiasm for something good!  Pray pray pray, and enjoy God for all He’s done and is doing in your life!  No shame in seasons of grace and light.  Don’t let anyone scold you or bring you off that mountaintop, either.  God will send you back down into the valley soon enough.  Ignore the naysayers and praise your heavenly Father instead!

Wherever you are as the calendar turns, remember that you are loved.  If you need to receive prayer or a conversation, or a moment’s compassion from someone… or even if you’re just feeling funky and don’t know exactly what’s wrong – find someone.  Even if you think they’re “too busy” or don’t understand your situation.  Find someone you trust and get some help.  If we as a church family aren’t there for one another, then why do we exist in the first place?  Like I said- God didn’t come all the way down here, cast off His power and go through birth and growth and death as a human being just so we could live apart from Him, from others He loves, or go through this life on our own.  Please, in this season – invest in someone else, disciple someone else, and pray for someone else.

I’m personally really bad at this kind of thing.  But I’m resolving to get better.  To invest in Jesus’ dreams more, and keep my eyes wider open to YOU.  To what YOU’RE going through, and walk with you in that place somehow.

Let’s resolve to do life together in 2012 – better than we did in 2011.

Deus det nobis pacem

- Dave

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