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Listen while you read: "Send The Light"1
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Philippians 2:1-3 – If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (KJV)
Psalm 16:11 – Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (KJV)
Hanging on a wall in our guestroom is an old framed piece of linen on which someone long ago laboriously embroidered:
- I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, "Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown," and he replied, "Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God; that shall be to you better than light and safer than the known way." (from "The King's Message" 25 December 1939)
The "King" to whom that refers was King George, before my time, but it speaks the message of the King of kings. As we stand close to the gate of a new year, there is bound to be much darkness, much uncertainty. We might think it would be safe to know exactly what lies ahead, but only God knows what paths will be offered to us. He has, however, given us the gift of choice.
We can choose to continue on our same path, the safe path, the known path, or we can choose to put our hand in the hand of God. We might think that we are already doing so, but maybe we could do a little more. Maybe we could check our motives in some of the things we do, and see if indeed we do them for "vainglory" or from "lowliness of mind".
Perhaps our "New Year's Resolution" could be a "New Life Resolution". Perhaps we could make just one small change, do just one more "random act of kindness", or strive to understand some of the things which we haven't. Perhaps we can be the light in someone else's darkness and show by example what it means to be "like-minded, having the same love, of one accord, of one mind".
A little song from the 1960s,"Think a little more of others, and a little less of me", pops into my thoughts every once in a while. Perhaps when we are making our choices in the coming year, we can keep in mind today's passages and (if we remember it) hum that little song.
Prayer: Our heavenly Father, as a new year approaches, may our paths be guided by Your Spirit; may our choices be with Your love, Your guidance. Amen.
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About the author:
Mary Daniel <marydee@shaw.ca>
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
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Thanks Mary. Blessings.
Thank you, Mary. Your message lined up with another devotional today. Blessings.
Thank you, Mary, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today. Blessings.
The safe path is no more. I join my friends and colleagues to celebrate Hanukah – Light and Hope we all need, guided by the Holy Spirit.
Mary, merci beaucoup. … this devotional, superb and relevant as it is, is placed on top of my 2025 ‘To Do’ list.
Mary, I’m glad your writing was reposted this year. It still rings true. King Charles’ King’s Message about Jesus teaching us to care for the needy and to love one another is another message for our year ahead.
Have a blessed New Year.
Thank you for writing this devotional.
And the reminder of a song to hum or sing to help us on our way through the new year.
Thank you.
Happy new year.
Blessings.
Good morning, Mary,
Thank you for today’s Devotional. I just googled the song ‘Less of Me’ by Glen Campbell and love the message in the lyrics. A ‘New Life Resolution’ is a thoughtful message to reflect upon as we enter 2025.
(Ontario)
Thanks, Mary! I found the song you mentioned on Spotify, and now it’s running through my mind as I start the day, cheered by the words written by Glen Campbell and recorded by Johnny Cash at San Quentin!
Many blessings for this “revisited” devotional!
(BC)
Greetings Mary and it was so enjoyable reading another of your former written devotionals. No matter what number of years go by, the caring love we receive from our loving Saviour is always the greatest gift we can receive. He is ever present for us and ready to guide us through our everyday lives. Blessings for this very mindful devotional and many blessings for a happy, healthy New Year 2025!
Good morning, Mary,
It is great to be encouraged to do something more or learn something as we approach a new year. God is there to help us step out of our box and be kind to others and to ourselves. This message is an important today as it was in 1997. If each of us makes a little more effort, that is a lot of effort being made in this world. Best wishes for 2025. Blessings.
Dear Mary Daniel,
Perhaps our “New Year’s Resolution” could be a “New Life Resolution.”
“New Life Resolution” I like that! Because a New Life Resolution can be made at any time, unlike a “New Year’s Resolution” which is made only on January 1st and then if or when broken, we give up and wait another whole year to make it again.
Thanks very much.
Thank you, Mary, for this good advice. What a great world it would be if we all practiced this.