Jesus Prepared Us for 2017
By Russell Johnson
Welcome to 2017. This year will be a new one for each and every one of us. We will see and experience things that we may have never seen or heard of before. Some things will be encouraging and others will bring disappointment and possibly even worse.
As I begin this New Year, I find myself in John 16 and I’m impressed by how carefully and thoughtfully Jesus prepared His disciples for what was ahead in their lives. He begins the chapter with this statement: “I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith.”
What was ahead for these disciples would be so difficult for them to accept that there was a possibility that they would abandon their faith. The difficulty of understanding and enduring what was in their future had the potential for overpowering even three years at Jesus’ feet hearing and seeing the most amazing things any of us could imagine.
As I meditated on this I ask myself: Am I prepared for what lies ahead – personally, spiritually, culturally? Have I prepared my congregation for whatever lies ahead? Will I/they be able to walk through what 2017 has to offer and come through it with a stronger faith or will it be too much for them and might they abandon their faith?
I’m sure we would all like to think that we/they are prepared, but remember, even Jesus made it a point to give His followers a little extra preparation at this point in their life.
Gentlemen, Jesus has given us everything we need to face the uncertain future with the certainty of His presence. Let’s make it a priority to gather with one another, encourage one another, look out for one another and help each other be better servants of the Lord in 2017. We need it! Our respective families need it! Our congregations need it!
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” - (John 16:33 NLT)
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