“Behold, this we have searched out; It is true. Hear it, and know for yourself.” (Job 5:27)
The days leading up to New Year’s Day are always a season of time in which we look back at the year and take stock of ourselves. What happened that was most important? What lessons will I take from this year into next year? How have I changed?
So much about next year is unpredictable, particularly in our country, which is facing the worst economic crisis in decades. But the answers to these questions are known, if we’re willing to stop and think about them, and the answers can help us in the year ahead.
This has been an unparalleled year for me! I almost died, but what you don’t know is the story I have not told, and the rewards that I get to carry into the next year from that experience.
My mother died when I was only seven years old from a gall bladder operation – fairly simple surgery today and not so complicated back then either. She was scared to death of surgery, and I can remember the days leading up to her operation. She repeatedly told our family, “I just know I’m going to die”. She did die during the surgery – of a massive heart attack.
Can you imagine the impact her death would have on her seven-year-old son? I made my mind up on that cold day in January that I would never be put to sleep. No, No, No – I was not going to die on any operating table!
As I went through life, there were several medical maladies where I advised to have surgery – appendicitis, broken nose, wisdom teeth, and even the dreaded gall bladder. Each and every time, I refused to be put to sleep.
When the notion of weight loss surgery came my way, I had to confront my life-long demon. I became convinced that surgery was the only way to conquer my weight problem – and the demon from my mother’s experience. But even though I decided to have the surgery, I refused to have it in January – the month in which both my mother and father passed away. I waited until February.
Obviously, I survived, and as many of you know, later that spring, I had life-saving surgery to patch a hole in my stomach and rid my body of a serious infection. I was very sick, but I noticed something different from that experience – I was no longer afraid of death!
All my life, I have been afraid to die. Even in my Christian life, I never thought of death as the Apostle Paul described it – the final enemy. Death to me was “The Ultimate Enemy”- one that I knew I could never conquer. That seven year old little boy’s fear never grew up, and it never went away.
This time was different and I have had a lot of time to think about why. So for several months, I have done as Mary did when the angel told her she was going to have a virgin birth – I pondered this new revelation in my heart. And what God revealed to me was the transformative power of Jesus Christ. I no longer had to face death alone. I have a partner who says to me, to all us – “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
I had peace when facing death – inexplicable peace – the very same peace the Bible describes. It’s the peace that only comes from knowing Christ.
So as I look back at this year, I rejoice. I no longer take the fear of dying into the New Year. I take the joy of knowing that I have a friend on whom I can lean when I am in trouble, and know that He will deliver. The burden is gone.
Jesus can do the same for you in the year ahead. Many of us will take our demons and our fears into the year ahead. Why not take the joy of knowing that we can give all of that to the real burden bearer? Why not leave it in 2008? “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14, NIV).
Share on Facebook