Remarkable – Part 1

This week, Michael writes that old folks know better than to make New Year’s resolutions. They have learned not to make promises they can’t keep. A resolution means to determine to find an explanation or a solution to a problem. Resolution can also mean the act of determining to do or not do something. They say hindsight is 2020. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. However God’s foresight is 2020. He knows the end from the beginning but we don’t. As we look back on 2019 there are many things that we should or should not have done. As we look forward with the comfort of God’s 2020 foresight, we’re encouraged by Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision the people perish (they wander aimlessly), but he that keeps the Law (the word of God) happy is he.”

What does God hold for us in the coming year? The word that came to mind is “casual.” The word that defines Christian men and women in church today is casual. Casual is followed in the dictionary by the word casualty. Casual Christians are casualties in the spiritual battle. Asking God for a theme to focus on for 2020, the word that comes to mind was “remarkable.” The meaning of the word “remarkable” is worthy of notice. Extraordinary; unusual; that deserves particular notice, or that may excite admiration or wonder. What’s remarkable about our calling? Matthew 9 is about the gospel of the harvest. Seeing the people, Jesus felt compassion for them because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd. He looked to His disciples, and prayed, “God, send out workers into the harvest for the harvest is plentiful but he laborers are few.”

God calls us to seasons of life with different priorities. There’s a season to plant, to fertilize, to weed, to water and then to bring in the harvest.” Ecclesiastes 3 says, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” Christians are remarkable in that God has separated them from a world of darkness. According to 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

Let's continue Michael's remarkable message in the next post.

In Christ, Brian