January 2023

 

Behold Him

As we close chapter 2022 on the album of Life, what will the next hold? 2023 is a blank page, photos yet to be snapped, full of unknowns. Though the details remain hidden to us for now, the Author has not only the next chapter but the rest of the book in His hands. A look through the family album can help us enter 2023 with hope and peace.

Much has happened prior to where we find ourselves in the book. Opening to the first pages, we marvel at The Word’s magnificent creation work, imagining what it would have been to be there, seeing remnants of His glory in our own surroundings. Most striking in its beauty is the presence of God with His people in His creation.

We grimace as we review the fall, knowing our own fall is just as much represented there. But alongside the fall, our hearts melt at the grace of a promise.

We wade and wait through all the wayward years of the judges, the prophets, the kings. Even then the promise peeks through, the steadfast love of the Lord ever evident.

At long last, we linger on treasured photos—the incarnation, the birth. Jesus Christ, the Savior. God with us. Unfathomable!

The baby grows, and the Son of God, Son of Man astonishes and amazes at every turn. Later, snapshots of the garden, the agony, the cross, the tomb fill us with shame mixed with incredible relief. Three days later, the resurrection confirms the significance of what has been accomplished! It is finished, yet unfinished.

The birth of the church is announced, and it is rather dramatic, as births can be. There are tongues, a stoning, and baptisms beyond count. Word spreads, and that baby church grows and grows and grows. Until today. Finally, we see ourselves in the story.

Our very real, pinchable lives are in the middle of God’s family album! Visible, though invisible, God’s presence is with us in every photo. Loving, working, listening, answering, correcting, caring, protecting, directing, strengthening, providing. Do you see Him?

Which brings us to 2022. We would think the album would end here. How can there be pictures of things yet undone? But the rest of the story is there, even if we see it like the saints of old viewed what is now behind us—with dim eyes, with glimmers and promises, with faith. Things became more and more clear with time, and they will for us, too.

Looking ahead, we see shadowy pictures of a new heaven, a new earth, a feast, the reign of King Jesus forever and ever. And us, the church, his bride, by his side. Linger on those images. No matter what happens in ‘23 or beyond, this is reason for hope and peace.

As we flip through the album, it’s exciting to find ourselves in the book, but it’s easy to see that this story is really not about us. Snapshots of Jesus are from beginning to end. He is the centerpiece from eternity past to eternity future. As we start chapter 2023, it will do us good to look again and again at the family album, to see Jesus.

We behold Jesus as we turn the pages of scripture. We behold Jesus as we rehearse the story together week by week in church and in life group. We behold Jesus as we sing in worship. We behold Jesus as we read God’s Word Side by Side. Below are a few more concrete ways to behold Jesus and start 2023 full of hope and peace. Happy New Year!

 

1st Thursday Connect

1st Thursday Connect is coming up January 5, 2023! The theme is SHARE. Following a cozy soup dinner, we will enjoy teaching from God’s Word and fun sharing with each other.

  • January 5, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

  • New Life Church West Linn, downstairs

  • RSVP for January’s 1st Thursday Connect on the church website

  • If you can’t make it in person, you can join us by livestream at 6:40 p.m.

We have been reading Psalms 1-41 in December and will start 2 Kings for January. Pick up materials at 1st Thursday Connect, in the church foyer, or print them from the church website.

 

Links

Below are links to articles, books, podcasts, and music that might be of interest or help on various topics. Resources are curated but may not always reflect the views of New Life Church. Enjoy!

Marcia ReavelyComment