The start of a new year

Many people put lots of emphasis on the beginning of a new year. Many people make New Year’s resolutions, new goals, new diets, new friends, and try to start a new life. For me, this is a good opportunity to take time to reflect on the past life and to dream about the upcoming year.

                This past year brought many unexpected changes in my life. God brought me down to Peru. The student missionaries and the people down here have changed my life as well. They all have taught me so very much. I hope and pray that my life will never be the same. This year, 2010, will bring lots of changes for me as well. I’ll be moving back to the States. First of all, my close friend is getting married this summer. Secondly, I will be leaving a lot of friends to attend a new university to further my education. They are many changes to look forward to or to dread and worry about.

                When I start to worry about what is going to take place in the future I try to stop myself and remember the Bible verse found in Matthew 6:34. It tells us not to worry about tomorrow, but to focus on today. Tomorrow will come whether we like it or not.

                I believe as Christians it’s important for us to focus on the moment, to live in each moment, and to be content where we are in life.  If we always focus on the future we will never be content with the present, always thinking that “the grass is greener on the other side”.  We will never be content and happy if we think that way.

A letter to the church in Philip

In the letter Paul sent to the church in Philip he told them that he has learned to be content in every situation. (Phil. 4:11-13). No matter how rough life is or how much he’s looking forward to change and the future, he is content with the now.

                One of my families has twin daughters, 6-years-old. They are some of the happiest girls that I have ever met. They are always smiling and laughing…always! Even though they live a hard life at home without a father, no running water, sharing a bed at night, and not having lots of clothes to choose from, they are happy and content. Yes, it could be because they don’t know of another life but they are happy just the same.

                We can learn a lot from these two little girls. No matter the circumstances that we find ourselves in, what conditions we live in, we can do our best to be happy and content and to live in the moment. As the year is beginning we have new opportunities to start to live in the moment. Cherish the people around us, spend time with these we love, make new friends, strengthen our relationship with Jesus, and learn to be content and happy no matter what this year may bring us.