Reflecting on the New Year: Embracing Hope and Sovereignty in 2024
By Pastor Nate Shurden, Cornerstone Pres in Franklin TN
Episode 9 on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Welcome to the inaugural post of 2024 on our blog! As we step into this new year, brimming with anticipation and potential, it’s a time for reflection and looking ahead. The transition from one year to the next often brings a mix of emotions — excitement for what’s to come and a reflective look back at the year that has passed. Where did the time go, you might wonder? As you review each month of 2023, you might see where the time has been spent, and now, here we are, at the threshold of a new beginning.
Where Is Your Spiritual Heart at the Start of 2024?
As we embark on this journey through 2024, it’s an apt moment to ponder the state of our spiritual hearts. Are you entering this year with excitement, or is there a sense of foreboding, fear, or concern? Perhaps it's a year of significant transitions for you. Regardless of our individual circumstances, we are presented with 365 new days — a blank canvas to paint our stories afresh. Even if the previous year didn't pan out as we hoped, we have the opportunity for a ‘redo’ and to step boldly into what may become our best year yet.
Insights from The Counting Crows: A Look at Hope
In reflecting on the concept of hope, a memory comes to mind involving the band The Counting Crows, particularly their song from the album 'Recovering Satellites'. The song, ‘A Long December’, encapsulates a kind of hopeful expectation for the year ahead. Yet, it made me ponder the nature of this hope. Biblically speaking, hope isn’t merely a wish; it has a firmer foundation.
The Sovereignty of God in Our Lives
As we face the unknowns of 2024, it's crucial to remember that we are not the masters of our fate. The reassuring truth is that our year — and indeed our entire lives — are in the hands of a sovereign God. This God, who spoke the universe into existence, is actively sustaining us and orchestrating the events of our lives and the world. While this might initially seem daunting, especially when reflecting on the challenges of the past, it's a source of profound comfort.
Tracing God’s Sovereignty to His Love
In 2023, like every year, we witnessed both joy and suffering. Understanding God’s sovereignty in the midst of these events can be challenging. However, this is where the transformative power of understanding God’s love comes into play. The God who controls all things is the same God who loves us deeply. This love was most profoundly demonstrated in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, reminding us that our Creator is not a distant ruler but a loving Father intimately involved in our lives.
Embracing the Gospel in 2024
As we navigate the days of 2024, the need for Jesus Christ remains central. Before the year even begins, we already have Him with us — Immanuel. He has given us His Spirit, the church, and the means of grace to draw us closer to Him. This year, like every year, we will face our own imperfections and sins. Yet, in these moments, we have the assurance of grace and forgiveness through Christ.
Committing to God’s Sovereign Love
As we embark on this journey through 2024, let’s recommit ourselves to keeping God’s sovereign love at the forefront of our minds. In every challenge, let's trace back to the promises of God in Christ Jesus, reminding ourselves of the hope we have in Him.
Holding Fast to God’s Promises
As we move through the year, we may not always see it as better than the last. However, in the grand scheme of God’s plan, we can rest assured that the best is indeed yet to come. The promise of new heavens and a new earth, with Christ reigning as King, is our ultimate hope and destination.
Journeying Together in Faith
Thank you for joining me here at the start of 2024. As we walk by faith and not by sight, let us eagerly follow wherever Jesus leads us. May this year be one of deepening faith, unwavering hope, and enduring love.
Happy New Year to all, and I look forward to sharing this journey with you week by week, as we seek to live out our faith in every aspect of our lives.
