This week marks the beginning of the working year for many of us in Queensland. The school holidays, prolonged to deal with an upsurge in Covid 19 cases, have now finished and schoolchildren have returned to their classrooms. Businesses are moving into full swing and church programs are recommencing for the year.
This year marks a new beginning for me personally, one I've been looking forward to for many months now. I'm taking a twelve month sabbatical from my employment in health as a Clinical Assistant with the view to retirement following this period in early 2023. Retirement for a Christian, however, does not mean to put your feet up and take life easy- rather it is an opportunity to move into new areas of witness and ministry, albeit with perhaps some extra time to enjoy pursuits which bring personal satisfaction.
Life with Christ brings its own new beginning. When we commit to Jesus we are changed. Whilst many aspects of our lives externally may appear the same, internally we have a new nature, one which knows the great love God has for each of us, a nature sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit of God. The apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Thessalonian church:
"For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God that He has chosen you because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction." (1 Thessalonians 1:5).
I think that what Paul is saying is that those who believe when they hear or read the gospel are deeply convinced of it's truth, and understand its power to impact this world for good. This can be a source of great wisdom and great joy.
Heavenly Father God
I pray that anyone visiting these pages this year will be drawn by your Holy Spirit into deeper relationship with You. Fill them with Your love, your understanding and your power I pray.
In the precious name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.
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