THE GATE OF THE YEAR

by Ron Clarke

"And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown'. And he replied: "Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God.  That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way."

Those words come from a poem entitled 'God Knows' written by Miss Minnie Louise Haskins in Bristol, England in 1908, revived by King George 6th in a broadcast he made during the darkest days of World War 2. 

There have always been dark times. Some three thousand years ago the nation of Israel was going through a time of great moral and spiritual darkness. The future was bleak, depression was rife and restlessness and despair gripped many. Yet God spoke a message of hope to His people: 'The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned... For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given... And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace'. 

Centuries passed and once again the situation was black, perhaps even blacker than before. The nation was oppressed, violence was rife, revolutionary groups were spreading terror. Yet God's message of hope rang out: 'The rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.' (Luke 1:78,79)

The gate of the year. We are commencing a New Year and a new millennium. Many people at this time will be thinking about new year resolutions, usually based on a realisation that some aspects of their life currently require change. The trouble with new year resolutions is that we rarely, if ever, carry them through. If we are going to base our walk through life on ill-kept resolutions, then that life will lack purpose and direction. 

It's good to look on the start of a new year as a gate. A gate is something we have to pass through with an intent, an intent to move on to somewhere or to something else.

So what is important? If we analyse our day-to-day existence there are perhaps two things constantly before us - two things that demand our attention. One is time, and the other is relationships. Prioritise your time and your life will assume a very special quality. Forget those trivial resolutions of doing this or giving up that - just think of time and relationships. Cultivate your relationships . . . and your life will develop a very special meaning. Learn to trust God because He is our shepherd and we shall not want. Jesus came that we should have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). 

Surround your time . . . with the love of God, and this New Year and thereafter will be to you better than light and safer than a known way.

May your New Year reflect the glory of God.

Bible reading: Psalm 73

Psalm 73 - [A psalm by Asaph.] - God Is Good

God is truly good to Israel,
especially to everyone with a pure heart. 
But I almost stumbled and fell,  
because it made me jealous to see proud and evil people
and to watch them prosper.  
They never have to suffer, they stay healthy, 
and they don't have troubles like everyone else.
 
Their pride is like a necklace,
and they commit sin
more often than they dress themselves.  
Their eyes poke out with fat,
and their minds are flooded with foolish thoughts.  
They sneer and say cruel things,
and because of their pride, they make violent threats.  
They dare to speak against God and to order others around.
 
God will bring his people back,
and they will drink the water he so freely gives.
 
Only evil people would say,
"God Most High cannot know everything!"  
Yet all goes well for them, and they live in peace.  
What good did it do me to keep my thoughts pure
and refuse to do wrong?  
I am sick all day, and I am punished each morning.  
If I had said evil things,
I would not have been loyal to your people.
 
It was hard for me to understand all this!  
Then I went to your temple, and there I understood
what will happen to my enemies.  
You will make them stumble, never to get up again.  
They will be terrified,
suddenly swept away and no longer there.  
They will disappear, LORD,
despised like a bad dream the morning after.
 
Once I was bitter and brokenhearted.  
I was stupid and ignorant,
and I treated you as a wild animal would.  
But I never really left you, and you hold my right hand.  
Your advice has been my guide,
and later you will welcome me in glory.
In heaven I have only you,
and on this earth you are all I want.  
My body and mind may fail,
but you are my strength and my choice forever.
 
Powerful LORD God,
all who stay far from you will be lost,
and you will destroy those who are unfaithful.  
It is good for me to be near you.
I choose you as my protector,
and I will tell about your wonderful deeds. 

Contemporary English Version

Epiphany | Festivals of Light

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