Mark the blameless and behold the upright,
For there is a future for the man of peace.
Psalm 37:37 (ESV)
Thanksgiving and Christmas flew by as we watched the last year end. As the new year begins, we look toward the future and what the year will bring. Goals will be set, resolutions made, and words claimed as promises from God. These can be good things as we follow through on how God is leading us in these goals, resolutions, and words. But all our plans will fall short when we plan without looking to God and His wisdom for our future. What is the goal God would have us pursue?
Paul tells Timothy how those who have much are to lay a foundation for their future through sharing with others. That is a goal worth keeping. According to God’s purpose, those who had much were to do good in works and be generous and ready to share with those who had less. By doing so, they would be storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future. The result: taking hold of that which is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:18) With Christ in us, one of the fruits of our faith is being kind and good to others. By sharing what we have, that fruit is evident. It extends out of a life that truly lives for Jesus, serving Him in every way.
Others have blessed us as 2021 ended. Their generosity will not go unnoticed. I can call to mind names that are laying a foundation for treasure in Heaven because they have lived 1 Timothy 6:18. Therefore, the Lord marks them as blameless and upright. They have a peaceful future ahead of them. I am not saying these works are their way to Heaven. I am saying that out of their faith in Christ, the works reveal the fact that Jesus made a way for them to have treasure in Heaven. He is the only way to get there, but what we do for Him reaps rewards.
My word for the year is empowered. As it was revealed to me, I was reminded that my empowerment comes from the Holy Spirit of God. He is the power within each of us to accomplish His purpose for our lives to benefit others and glorify Him. I know I am not empowered by anything I do or accomplish on my own, but only as He works through me according to His will. A great goal for us all in the new year would be to surrender our plans to Him. He is able to do more than we can imagine, and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us as we trust Him for life and purpose.
Lord, thank you for this reminder that true faith works for the good of drawing others to you. Amen