Who's afraid of the new year?

We are all familiar with the taunt sung by the 3 little pigs as they heckled the big bad wolf. “Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf, the big bad wolf, the big bad wolf? Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf? Tra, la, la, la, la, la!” As they sang, played and danced, they laughed at their foe with brazen courage. I want to paraphrase their song as we face what some consider to be a formidable foe, the New Year 2,009. “Who’s afraid of the Next New Year, the Next New Year, the Next New Year? Who’s afraid of the Next New Year? Tra, la, la, la, la, la!” Now, I know that there are varied levels of anxiety toward the coming of this new year. I do want to assure you that all our anxieties are groundless, if our relationship with Jesus is sound.

Those who trust jesus don’t have to be afraid.

Those whose hope is heaven don’t have to be afraid:

Those who know jesus’ peace don’t have to be afraid.

This world is passing away. Don’t root too deeply into it. Don’t invest so much in it that you leave behind what you ought to have sent on ahead. Fasten your hope on what is to come according to His purposes. He is preparing a place for prepared people. The New Year may bring with it all the horrors dooms-day prophets might predict; it may be filled with sorrow and grief and loss. Terrorists may strike again.  War may erupt.  It may be a dismal year!  It may, though, be the best year ever! It may brim with all that you want and hope for!  Surely there will be some “bad” and much good!  It’s all the same to Him; He still remains, He still saves, He still keeps. Who’s afraid of the New Year? All our expectations about the New Year are pure guesses; better trust our now and our then to Him Who not only knows tomorrow, but holds it, and us, in His hand.

 God Bless You!

Paul Leavens is the Minister Lindsay Christian Church www.lindsaychristianchurch.org.