Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:14 (ESV)
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV)
2025 is just around the corner. In the United States and perhaps in other countries as well, new political parties or regimes will be taking command of their governments. Also, in the coming year, individuals will start new chapters in their lives, whether they are retiring, getting older and downsizing, moving into retirement communities, moving to a new city/state, becoming empty-nesters, moving on from the loss of a loved one via divorce or death, and the list can go on and on. When change occurs, do you find yourself devastated because of the changes? Ask yourself this question, where and with whom did you place your faith and hope?
When we place all our hope on getting a job, making money, living in an expensive house/neighborhood, or placing it on our looks/bodies, we are not being wise. What happens if the job does not work out? The house is costing more to upkeep/maintain than initially thought? You spend a lot of time, energy, and money on your looks and then a sickness, accident, or injury occurs, what then? Sometimes we unwittingly place so much focus/hope on things and situations, we cannot control.
How about placing hope on other people? Some place hopes on their spouses, their children, other family members, friends, etc. As much as we depend/rely on our family and friends, we ultimately have no control over our lives or theirs. The amount of time we all have here on earth is up to God, not us. Others can leave us voluntarily or involuntarily and if we place a great amount of hope and faith in them when they are gone, we are left devastated and possibly falling into a deep depression.
Above are just a few examples of putting our hope in people, places, and things, as opposed to the one and only, Father in Heaven. Connecting and staying connected to God with prayer, Bible study, and attending a Bible-believing church, is what is needed to keep us focused on trusting God. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone. Yes, we are to make good choices and to live, learn, and grow, until God returns. However, we need to realize our true and ultimate hope and trust cannot be in people, places, or things; it must only be in the one true Creator, God. Because when situations occur, and they always will, you will be able to get through that trying time when your hope and faith are in God and His plan. We need to be anchored in God and His Son Christ Jesus, to withstand the winds of change in this world.
My prayer for everyone going into this new year and the years to come is to place your faith, your trust, and your hope in God and His will for your life and the lives of your loved ones. Do not place your ultimate trust/faith in people, places, or things. Instead, place the core of your hope and trust in God and God alone.
May you have a safe and happy 2025. Happy New Year!!
Blessings,
Angélique
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