15 Hours and Counting

 I sit down to write this with 15 hours left before 2024 fades forever into history. Earlier this morning I prayerfully reflected on this past year. I recalled high points as well as a few low points. There were joyous celebrations and a few heart wrenching situations that shook me to the core. There was one constant all year long. 

God was there. He met with me in the secret place over and over again. He encouraged me when I was discouraged. He strengthened me when I was weak. He filled me when I was empty. He nourished me when I was spiritually famished. He comforted me in sorrows. He inspired me with writing 199 of these posts. He anointed me to preach and teach His word. He gave wisdom to make difficult decisions. He gave endurance to persevere through grueling seasons when I overcommitted myself. He chastised me when I drifted into sin and needed adjustments in my behavior and attitude. He loved me through it all. 

There is no way I could ever recount all He did in the past year. For the past couple of months my times with the Lord have been some of the sweetest of my life. He wakes me at all hours and beckons me to the secret place to meet with Him. The hunger He creates in me is greater than my desire for sleep. I never know when He will awaken me. That is why I go to bed so early. The standing appointment I have with Him is more important than anything else going. 

I have not stayed up to ring in the new year in a very long time. It just seemed silly to stay up to midnight just to watch a ball drop in New York or to say I was awake when it officially became 2025. Those festivities go on fine without me. I hope to start 2025 just the way I started today. Alone soaking in His presence. Communing with Christ. Seated at His feet in the secret place. 

I am neither happy nor sad to see 2024 go. It was another year where God showed Himself faithful over and over again. I fully expect in 2025 He will do the same. One thing I am certain of is that 2025 will bring change. A new year always does. We will inaugurate a new President. There will be new catastrophic events. More people will die. New babies will be born. People will get married, and others will get divorced. The economy will rise and fall. Health crisis will happen for many. Through it all God will sit sovereignly on His throne ruling with an iron fist and a compassionate heart. Goodbye 2024 and welcome 2025 in 15 hours.