Above the Clouds

So here we are, a month away from another Christmas and just over a month away from the beginning of another decade. At this time of year I begin to reflect a little on what has happened during the year just gone and this year is no different. For me this year has been a good one. My family and I moved house to the beautiful town of Gibsons, BC; the spring and summer weather was extremely good this year; this website has done remarkably well allowing me to reach out to way more people than if I had been working a church; I began work on my first book which is going really well and should see the light of day sometime next year; we had family visit from all over the world which is always nice; and my family and I visited the town of Powell River and had a great time there.

I always find it good to look back and see how my life has gone, because even in the not so good years I always find something to praise the Lord for. However, at this time of year I also begin to get a little on edge as I think about what the future holds. Soon 2010 will be here and we will be living in yet another year, God willing, and it fills me with an equal balance of tremendous excitement and fear thinking about what next year will bring – will it be a good year filled with many a hope realized or will it be hard and take an extra amount of God’s grace to get through?

In the Bible Jesus tells us not to worry. Whenever I read this I always think easier said than done. It’s not easy, is it, not to worry when life is filled with things like ill health, family issues, accidents, bank balances, jobs, mortgages, food, taxes, car repairs, bills, and so on. And it’s hard sometimes to see the light when you’re shrouded in foggy darkness. Writing this I am reminded of one morning last week when I was standing in my kitchen looking out at the cold, murky, and dark day outside, and I remember thinking what a horrible day. But then I remembered that the sun was right there above the rain and clouds, always shining even though we may not see it – always there just above the clouds.

Maybe you’re looking ahead and thinking that next year is going to be a great year… at least you hope and pray it will be; I know I am. Or maybe you’re not even thinking about next year because you are finding it difficult enough to get through this week. Wherever you find yourself I just want to encourage you as we stand here at the edge of another year and decade, that whenever the clouds of doubt rain down and the darkness seems impossibly thick, the Son is always there, just above it all waiting for the right opportunity to reach into any and all situations we may face.

So let us pray that God gives us the strength to endure all hardships, the courage to step out in faith whenever we need to, the determination to run a good race, and the sense to be thankful by our generosity and love whenever things are going good.

Join me next time as I begin my Christmas Faithblog’s. Until then keep it real and keep it Hardcore!

Christian St John M.Div, BChM, ACS
November, 2009