God will also keep you strong in faith to the very end. Then you will be without blame on the day our Lord Jesus Christ returns.
1 Corinthians 1:8 (NIrV)
Father God, as I approach the end of this calendar year, I can honestly say that I am tired. This has been some year! I have experienced the gamut of life events over the course of these last 362+ days, as I am sure so many of those whom I am in relationship have. I have welcomed new loved ones into the fold and experienced the loss of others. I have seen loved ones navigate through the loss of jobs and others confronted with life-changing health issues. I have navigated through the intense highs of blessings and the painful falls of failures. I can honestly say that this year has been a doozy! I’ve made a boatload of mistakes trying to get through it. And as I look upon the threshold of the new year, I am doing inventory.
Father, my soul finds comfort in knowing that through it all You have been there by my side, strengthening me on this journey. I honestly don’t know where I would have been or how I could have handled it without You. And my soul finds so much peace in knowing that despite my failures and fumbles, You not only still love me, but are not counting those errors against me. You are at work in me, through the Holy Spirit, keeping me strong to the end! And by Christ’s sacrifice, I stand before You faultless despite my faltering! Glory to Your Name!
So today, as I inch towards the new year, the words “finish strong” take on a new significance to me. It’s not about what I have in me but about Who I have in me! You have given me everything I need for life and godliness. It is up to me to live it out. And I shall! Fill me afresh today that I might walk in the light of Your love, living my life as one crucified with Christ, a new creation! Help me to love as He loves, give as He gives, and die daily to myself as He died! I am Yours, LORD! Have Your way in Jesus’ Name!