God of Possibilities
As we enter 2017 it is vital to remember that we do not enter this new year alone. God with us, Emmanuel, promises to walk alongside us no matter what comes our way. That is some comfort in an uncertain and broken world, and complimenting this is the truth that God is active and at work in the world – redeeming it and bringing his kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven. God invites us to join him and partner in prayer and work around the world.
There are many stories in scripture where God shows his heart to work with and alongside his sons or daughters who are working for change, or in difficult situations. God seems to change the outcome of things based on our actions on earth – and many stories show this, from Abraham and Sodom, and Moses and the Israelites, to Jonah and Nineveh, to Hezekiah debating with God about the length of his life.
Some people may ask if praying makes a difference? The Bible clearly calls us to pray, to stand in the gap, to pray without ceasing for all things. And Jesus also shows us the importance of prayer by his example.
God wants to bring about redemption of this broken world and draw people to himself, and chooses to use us and partner with us in love and sacrifice in order to see change and to reflect his heart for all people. Let us encourage one another to have a greater relational connection with God, investing our energy towards interceding for the change we long to see, praising God for what he is doing in our world and crying out to him over the brokenness we long to see healed.
Praying and communing with our Creator around the issues we face and see is like breathing in, and being actively involved in seeing the change we long for, is like breathing out. We cannot do one without the other.
A God of possibilities – a God of love – a God who intervenes - a God who chooses to use us imperfect ‘jars of clay’ (2 Corinthians 4:7) – this is the God we serve!
Let us continue to work to see change on earth, loving our neighbour as we love ourselves, and let us continue praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) and partnering with God in prayer for the world we love.
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