Facing A New Year With Open Hands

It’s the last day of 2021 and I’m naturally feeling reflective. 

 This time last year, Crystal and I were still finding our feet beneath us. We were determined to follow Jesus forward, but reeling from wave after wave of grief upon grief. We left 2020 feeling unwanted and crushed, misunderstood and confused, but entered 2021 with a fledgling, hopeful grip on a beautiful, God-given mission to call and equip fellow wayfarers to deeper living, eyes fixed on Jesus and hearts set on Heaven. 

 Throughout this year we have continued to learn to cling tightly to the truth we have been taught and to hold everything else loosely. We’ve faithfully leaned into the work of discovering the shape and the scope of the ministry God is building with us. We’ve humbly stood with our hands open before God, trusting Him to fill them, determined to do His will, and believing that on the other side of obedience is blessing. 

 This has been a year of God reminding us that He is far from finished with us....that He does not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle...that He does not leave or forsake or abandon or discard.

 And facing a new year, we are grateful and we are hopeful and we are expectant and we are resolved and we are resigned to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful and He who began a good work in us will be faithful to carry it on to completion. 

 We are upheld in the waves and calling people to deeper water, deeper places and spaces, knowing that God will meet them there...knowing that what the world needs to encounter from Christ followers is not fearful people on the shoreline, warming themselves by their own fires and afraid to get wet, but instead, brave, devoted people willing to “come further up...come further in!” (C.S. Lewis) We want to see heavenly thinking invade earthly living...to remind everyone who has ears to hear that this is not Home and echo hopeful voices in the wilderness, “Prepare the way for the coming of the Lord!”

 In this coming year, we hope to partner with more churches seeking to reframe their approach to discipleship. We hope to work with more companies seeking to support their people with soul-care and cultivate healthy cultures. We hope to walk with the hurting, the crushed, the disappointed and the discarded, comforting them with God’s promises. We hope to stand open-handed before the God who has called us and take step after obedient step into His purpose. 

 And we invite you to do the same. God is calling His people to the surrendered heart-posture of a wayfarer. You are invited to join a discipleship movement of deeply rooted followers of Christ, wayfaring Home together with enduring hope, faith and love. You are invited to allow the Holy Spirit to transform the way you live, love and lead in the here and now because you have anchored your present in eternity. 

 Be brave. Open your hands. Believe that God will do what He has said He will.

 The most faithful way to step into the future is to know who holds it. 

 So, 2022: You are the Lord’s and His Word will be accomplished in you. You will serve our God’s purposes, you will submit to His will, you will bow to His authority. 

 2022: You will praise the Lord. And so will I.