“There is hope for your future,” declares the LORD (Jeremiah 31:17).
As we near the end of the year, it’s natural to reflect on the past and look forward to what is to come. For some, the uncertainty of the future can be intimidating, while others see it as an opportunity for a fresh start. The words from Jeremiah 31:17 remind us that there is always hope for what lies ahead.
How we finish this year will greatly impact how we start the next. If we end 2024 feeling uninspired, we shouldn’t expect to enter 2025 with excitement. Just as night transitions to day, the conclusion of one phase marks the start of another. Therefore, it’s important to take this time to refresh our minds and spirits, letting go of feelings of unfulfillment and uncertainty, and gear up for the next phase with enthusiasm and purpose.
Life is cyclical; what was once new can quickly become old. We must avoid stagnation, even during successful times. Remaining in a single phase of life (no matter how good) for longer than is necessary is the true meaning of stagnation. This means one can feel stuck even when circumstances seem favorable. We might become so engrossed in our current successes that we overlook the potential for even greater opportunities. We could confuse the limited beauty of a small achievement with the vast possibilities that God offers. We might become so focused on our personal goals that we neglect the divine purpose in our lives.
Beloved, let us not allow our gratitude for past blessings to stifle our aspirations for the future. Instead, let our thankfulness inspire us to pursue new visions and hopes that God has planned for us. Hope is an active choice we nurture through our faith.
Those who feel down should always strive to rise, and those who are up should aim even higher. There is no room for complacency at the bottom or settling for mediocrity when we could reach for the summit. Complacency can be a silent killer of dreams. Just as the Israelites faced the temptation to settle after their victories, we too can become satisfied with our current achievements, forgetting that God’s plans for us extend far beyond our present circumstances. We must remember that even in moments of success, there is always more to pursue, to achieve, and to experience in God’s infinite goodness.
God wants us to spend December envisioning new possibilities. We must liberate ourselves from the mindset that we have arrived while we are still on our journey. We should understand that God’s intention is for our gratitude for past blessings to inspire us to believe for more. We must not let our appreciation for yesterday prevent us from equipping ourselves with a clear vision and hope for tomorrow. We should hold onto praise while simultaneously seeking new achievements.
While there are many challenges in the world that may tempt us to abandon hope, we must look beyond the helplessness and hopelessness that our world daily serves its inhabitants and, like Abraham, dare to hope against hope (Romans 4:18). Hope is crucial because when the devil tries to trap us in a place where we can no longer see the brightness ahead, our entire future can be overshadowed by today’s troubles.
As the current year draws to a close and the dawn of a new one approaches, I pray for you to birth in your heart the unwavering hope that will give rise to new expectations, new creations, and groundbreaking testimonies. Amen
Remain blessed
Pastor Jerry Orhue
Senior Pastor, Gracevine Chapel
www.gracevinechapel.org
