Here we are again at the beginning of a new year. Some of us would have waited long for it, and for some it might be astonishing to see the pace with which the time flies – bringing us to another new year so soon. Whatever be it, all of us expect that the New Year brings new beginnings, new joys and new blessings. We expect a renewal of the past things, and a refreshing start from the unpleasant things. As any other year, the year that has just passed by has also witnessed both ups and downs in our own personal lives as well as in the global context. We have lost many lives in the past year due to various reasons such as terrorist activities, natural calamities, accidents, border disputes and so on. One of such disheartening and burdening incident is the recent killing of about 140 innocent school children and the teacher being burnt alive.
Over the couple of last few months many incidents that spur up disharmony within the nation has been shooting up. What is more disheartening is these activities involve a large group of people strongly established in their justification for such activities. While there is difficulty in gathering people for a good cause, doesn’t the ease with which people group up for a negative cause always astonish us! Why are we talking about such unpleasant events while beginning a new year is to retrospect our lives and take steps towards creating a better environment, and to keep the humanity within us intact. Each of these groups-be it for good purpose or bad, has a vision, believes in it and follows a pattern in which the vision is to be executed. This may be on the basis of religious beliefs or moral standards or intellectual understanding or taking up the judgemental role etc.
Whatever be it, it is necessary that we are transformed by the renewing of OUR own minds in order to prove what the will of GOD is. Conforming ourselves to the pattern of the world that’s against the will of God and misinterpreting it to be of God is meaningless. God’s plan for each of us is good, acceptable and perfect. The Lord’s plan for us is not to harm us or to permit us in harming each other. It is to give us a hope and a future. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. In order to get His plans fulfilled in our lives, we need to know the One who is the representative of God’s love on earth, Jesus Christ. He showed us the meaning of love on the cross by dying for our sins.
As we begin a new year, may we analyze if we are silent to the situations or just gossiping about them or shirking our responsibilities or feeling weak on our power as an Individual or questioning God? May we take little steps in this new year such as being more friendly with neighbours, getting introduced to one another and being a support to each other, resolve any unresolved issues within the family, valuing people beyond our own ego, thus taking small efforts of building a better tomorrow within our own limits and thereby displaying God’s will for all of us is good, acceptable, perfect and prospers us. Do you feel it’s easier to say but difficult to execute? With Jesus in our lives, it will never be difficult to love one another because He is Love. May God help us spread His love on earth!
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