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Listen while you read: "For Thy Mercy And Thy Grace"1 (Lyrics) |
Job 42:2 – I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. (NIV)
Ephesians 1:11 – In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will. (NIV)
When we are zipping along the Alaska Highway, my granddaughters love it if I open the power-operated windows in the back seat so that the exhilarating air rushes in. They yell and scream with delight, especially during the winter months when the frigid air engulfs them.
I leave the windows down only for a moment or two during the winter, though, before I press the button and they close automatically. The other week as the windows were closing, suddenly four-year-old Ade started screaming — but in pain, not in delight. "Open the window, Grammy," she shrieked. Immediately, I realized what had happened and hit the reverse button.
Her wee fingers had been pinched as she attempted to stop the window from closing. She had wanted the window to remain open. In her young mind, by hanging on to the top of it as it ascended, she thought that she could obtain her desire. Unfortunately, she learned a hard lesson. Fortunately, however, no real harm was done.
Likewise, we, too, can sometimes try to hang on to a specific moment, experience, time, or person in our lives, when God may be calling us to let it go. Life is forever changing. Nothing remains the same forever — nothing and no one except God, Whose purposes will not be thwarted.
As we have seen over the past two years, our lives have been dramatically changed due to the COVID-19 virus, something no one was anticipating. As we approach a new year, we are still in the throes of the changes that it is bringing to our individual worlds.
Yet, amidst it all, God is working everything out in conformity with the purpose of His will.
So, let us go forth into 2022 with joy and hope and faith in our hearts, willing to be still before the Lord and to be open to the guiding of His Spirit within us as to the best way to proceed.
Life has changed. Life is continuing to change, and perhaps, in our view, not for the better. But God has not changed, and He never will. So be assured that the year ahead, as well as each and every one of us, is in the best of hands, which is indeed an exhilarating truth and an open window of opportunity.
Prayer: Father God, thank You that we can know that no matter what is happening within our lives and world, Your plans and purposes cannot be thwarted. Your will shall be done — a will which always has the best plans in mind for Your people. Help us to still our hearts this day and in the days ahead that we might be quiet before You and discover the best way to proceed along the pathway of our lives. In Christ's name, we ask. Amen.
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Thank you.
Well said. So true.
Thanks Lynne. Happy New Year! Stay healthy and safe. Blessings.
You’re right, Lynne. We resist change, and it’s hard — but it’s good.
Thank you, Lynne, once again for your words this morning. God bless.
Very reassuring, Lynne. Wishing you and your family many blessings in 2022!
Thank you, Lynne. I chatted with a Canadian recently about life in BC during covid and learned just how restricted you were, much more so than we were.
Dear Lynne,
Ouch to the tiny fingers. I am encouraged today by your devotional. Yes. Many changes. God is our anchor. Blessings.
A good analogy Lynn. Thank you.
Very best wishes to you and yours for the New Year. Thank you for the excellent devotionals you send to God’s people.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayer for the last day of the year. It reminded me of Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:18. We need to keep putting on the whole armor of God and declare His promises fearlessly. Blessings for 2022.
Lynne,
This was the perfect message for today. I needed to hear this. Thank you for your dedication to sharing what is on your heart. I am sure you have helped many.
Thank you, Lynne, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us! Have a blessed New Year and also may you feel God’s presence with you and yours!
Blessings.
Dear Lynne,
Thank you for a wonderful New Year’s Eve devotional. We wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR with God’s richest blessings along the pathways of 2022.
Thank you, Lynne, for your always good words. I am a strong believer knowing that God has a plan for my life, even having a good reason for still using me in my 90’s. A new year begins in a few hours, facing new challenges, and ready to follow His will for our lives. HAPPY NEW YEAR AND GOD’S RICHEST BLESSINGS.
Hi Lynne. Thank you for all of your devotionals. They are not only inspirational but always give me a glimpse of your life/adventures in the north of BC. Looking forward to reading more from you in 2022. Wishing you and your family HIS continued blessings for 2022.
(Ontario)
O Dear Lynne: How WELL your story works as an example of how to live right now today with January snapping at our heels. Simple and profound. That’s usually how I spot your stuff when I begin the read. Thank you. I have just had a close friend die of covid and wrote her obituary. I was aware of assault on my hopes during this time. You help.
“So, let us go forth into 2022 with joy and hope and faith in our hearts, willing to be still before the Lord and to be open to the guiding of His Spirit within us as to the best way to proceed.”
May it be so, Lynne! Thank you!
Happy New Year and thank you for your continued daily devotionals!
(ON)
Good morning, Lynn,
Thank you for your good words this morning, life is changing for sure. Re: the Alaska Highway, we lived in Fort St. John for almost 3 years. Our Project was at Mile 124, but the highway was only paved to 101, so needless to say we did not go zipping along in those days.
Blessings and a Happy New Year to you and yours.
Good morning, Lynne,
Many thanks for another special devotional. I could just visualize your little ones enjoying that gush of fresh cool air rushing in the car windows and then the “ouchy” of the finger getting caught in the window closing. Yes, there are times when unexpected happenings occur in our lives and now this covid situation is surely one of them. However, our Lord is ever constant in His watch over us, and His timing and plans are always for the best results. Blessings for these very meaningful writings and may you and your family have a wonderful New Year filled with joyful times.
All I can say, Lynne, is that THIS IS BRILLIANT! I don’t know if everyone will respond this way, but I plan to print this and keep it in my Bible, to remind me that a) life never stays the same – always in flux, and b) God stays the same – always. Although the political situation is pretty drastic at this point in history, your reflection reminds me that wherever we (in Canada and in the US) are heading, God knows, and we are here to follow Him and do our bit to keep His Gospel alive and spreading!!
Bless you dear lady for all your insightful and inspirational reflections.
Please keep it up – and May the Lord FILL YOU with wisdom as you do His will. Blessings on you and all your loved ones in 2022!
Good morning, Lynne,
It is so true that God is in control, and we cannot hold on to something if it is not His will. What a cute story of your granddaughter. It is amazing how the wind blowing on you can feel so good like at the ocean. I am sure they think it is a real treat when you open the windows for them to feel it. Dogs love to put their heads out the car windows and experience that sensation also but you have to be so careful where you allow it to happen.
Very good advice to still our hearts. Not so easy but worth the effort and we have the Holy Spirit to help us when we ask.
Best wishes for 2022 and hope you are filled with the love, hope, faith, and peace that your faith gives you. Blessings.
“Life has to be lived forwards but can only be understood backwards” is a quote that is worth recalling when things go sideways.
Blessings on your New Year, Lynne! You friend “along the Way”
(BC)