Endings and Beginnings

     The newness of hope is calling your name. Do you feel it? The tingle of finding what matters in life. Yes, a new beginning filled with hope. Is there purpose for us? Is there a legacy? The image of God is within us. We were all made in His image, but our brokenness in sin separates us. It leads us to look in all the wrong places, to fill ourselves with all of the wrong things.

     I grew up with the baby-boomers in the heart of the city of Minneapolis. My high school class graduated over 600 people. Many from our class have died; several of them from the repercussions of alcoholism. What is it about removing ourselves from reality that makes us feel better? We look for relief and release and escape with the things that destroy.

So I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

     What would this year of new beginnings look like if we read the Word of God a few more minutes a day? What if we looked away from our phones more often and appreciated the wonder of creation and worshiped more? If we spend more time on our knees in prayer and listened to God? When Jesus touches our lives, He turns us and transforms us into His people on the earth. Be filled with the Spirit this year!

For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22

Jesus,

Keep us mindful of the Holy Spirit within us as we worship You, give glory to You with our lives and look for ways to be Your hands, feet, eyes and ears to those around us. May the Holy Spirit become stronger in us each day.

Amen