I AM EXPECTING GOD’S BEST FOR 2019

We are just days away from entering into a new year. For some, unfortunately, each new year is just another new year. There is no expectation of anything being better, greater or other. For them, every day is just another day, every month is just another month and every year is just another year. More often than not, when individuals have no expectation for a better future, it is based upon their lack of expectation that things can change.

For some, it is because they have been told that they have no future and their life’s situations will never change. For others, it is because things have not improved over many years – although they have tried and tried. For others, it is because they have lost faith in God, and feel that God will never bless their situation to change. Even more, they feel that that they do not deserve to have their situation changed. Finally, for others, it is because they live in a false sense of “I am ok. Everything is good.” And, “I will be alright.” Perhaps, this final scenario is more problematic. If a person believes that their situation is fine the way that it is, and have no desire nor feel that it is necessary for their situation to improve, there will be no expectation of a brighter, better future because, after all, “everything is good.”

After expressing all of the things that would cause Paul to conclude, “I am ok. Everything is good.” And, “I will be alright.” he acknowledged in Philippians 3:13, 14, “…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” In his acknowledgement, Paul was expressing that no matter how good or bad the past, the future will be much brighter and much better. Every day, every month, every year gets much brighter and much better until that day that we stand before God, and hear those words that we all desire to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant…” It is then that we will receive the prize of the upward, high, heavenly calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Some may be asking, “Is this really possible? Can I really expect that 2019 will be much brighter and much better? Can I really look past my past, and forward to my future – with expectation?” The answer is, “Yes, I can.” In Ephesians 3:20, Paul writes, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”

May we live in the expectation that God has bountiful blessings waiting for us in 2019, and may we look forward to sharing those blessings to make a difference in the lives of others.