As each year ends, I prayerfully seek the Lord for a theme for the New Year. The New Year provides new opportunities for us. Whatever happened previously has now been registered as history. The record of the past is now complete; yet the future awaits us as a blank page to be written upon. Next year, the reflections will involve the decisions that we are presently making. Our daily decisions will determine whether there will be victories to celebrate or defeats to lament. I believe that our focus will determine our outcome.
We can look around and see the devastation of a failed economy, the moral collapse of this generation, spiritual and political compromises that violate the Constitution and our creeds. It signals to those who are attempting to hold things together that the standard must come from a higher and a different Source. Jesus proclaimed as His inaugural address that the “Kingdom is near.”
Each message heard provides an opportunity. Think about the opportunities that have now translated into regrets. If we had the power to turn the clock backwards to that exact period when the chance for change was provided, I am certain that none would reject cashing in on it. The Kingdom of God is near. It can be seized by those who are aware of its value. All would benefit from what it provides. None would be rejected. It is close because the message of the Kingdom paves the way for those who desire to enter in. It does not come by observation. It is not a physical kingdom as many would believe. The Kingdom has come when Jesus rules and reigns in your heart. It is when an admission is made that whatever and whoever ruled beforehand was insufficient to complete your life. The fragmented existence left a void within that nothing else could fill. The Word of the Kingdom is God’s invitation to everyone.
The entire year of 2010 will be dedicated to helping people to understand what the Kingdom of God is and what it is not. I trust that many myths and ill-advised counsel will be exposed. There are too many people who have a false sense of security with a shallow understanding of God and His rule over the affairs of mankind, and with all of His creation. While the world is announcing, “Peace, Peace”, sudden destruction has come and is yet coming. It is the anticipation of the Kingdom and the desire to see His rule established that will constitute the quality of peace that can survive the temporal peace that ends in chaos. Jesus taught us in His model prayer to pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” The Kingdom is close to you. It is high time to get an understanding of God’s agenda that each may be fully engaged in participating in what He is doing.