Submitted by Jim

What does someone write to ring in the New Year?

I don’t get the chance to write often for the family journal; Heidi does a wonderful job in keeping everyone updated on the family’s comings and goings. More importantly, she communicates the life and faith lessons that develop from, well, raising four children and striving to walk with Jesus.  We do not have a corner on the market in this respect.  Everyone has a story in how God is working in their life, whether they know it or not, whether they acknowledge Him or not.  I count myself among the most blessed men in the world in that I am considered one of His sons and that God has given me the ability to see how He has blessed me.

For those reading this who do not acknowledge God as the source of who you are, how you were made, and what you have (or problems you don’t have, thankfully), take this year to reflect on such things.  One of the greatest comforts I rest in since I became a Christ-follower in high school is God’s absolute control over my circumstances and He loves me and wants the best for me.  Sure, I have personally mucked up many things since that point in time, and sometimes spectacularly so and to the detriment of not only myself, but others as well.  My poor actions throughout my life were allowed to happen by the sovereign had of God, and yes, they have brought and still bring consequences to me.

However, for those who love God and accept Jesus as their savior, the story never ends there.  God allows such bad behavior in order to draw us closer to Him.  The consequences of what I messed up often brought me to my knees and caused me to reflect on God’s presence and work in my life.  This is a major theme in the book of Romans in the Bible.  In what other book in the world can I read that “all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Did you really read that?  All things work for our good. Not just the good things I do, but even the bad things I engage in or seem to just happen to me, that God allows (sometimes with hurtful consequences), eventually work in my favor because in my heart of hearts I love Him and I have been called by Him.    

No, I do not want to see the day I face a debilitating or terminal illness.  I do not wish for financial ruin and I do not want to experience a family calamity. However, I will not fear such a day if it should come to pass.  As I play my hand in the game of life with the cards I have been dealt, the moment I accepted Jesus into my life He slipped the “Ace in the Hole” under the table and into the cards I hold.  Yes, God cheated – and I let Him cheat on my behalf.  He cheated Death for me.  No matter what happens to me, I’m set for life.  When I eventually die, of whatever, I do not have to fear about what may come next. No matter what pain I endure on Earth, my residence for all of eternity is in heaven. How cool is that?

So, when I consider all the things I could write about in my rare family journal appearance, nothing is more important that this.  

As a final point, consider this analogy. When I began learning to fly an airplane, specifically learning how to fly in the clouds without seeing anything outside the airplane but a sea of gray, it became apparent that this is precisely how we all live life.  We can’t see – not even one minute into the future.  In the airplane I was taught if I wanted to see my next takeoff, I had to rely on being guided by someone outside the airplane who could see everything – Air Traffic Control.  

We have this same resource available to us as we go about our day. I do not know what 2009 will bring, but God does, from beginning to end. I am resolving to be led by His direction when I read the Bible each day, talk to Him and strive to walk in obedience.  He communicates back to me in amazing ways: through people, circumstances, events, gifts, illness, and even promptings in my spirit.  Sure, I’d like Him to come out and just say “Jim Johanik, climb to 5000 and turn right heading 270 to avoid storm activity” but He makes it far more interesting and exciting and He requires us to be faithful.

So, where ever you are in your faith journey, consider the ways you can yield more to God and rely less on a blinded self.  Oh, and Happy New Year!

Jim