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Listen while you read: "Standing At The Portal Of The Opening Year"1 (Lyrics) |
It is now 2022 — a new year.
Frequently, people make New Year's resolutions — although more are probably broken than kept!
Resolutions require a decision to do — or not to do — something, and then action to make that resolution happen.
Perhaps, you have made one or more resolutions this new year, and you may be in the process of making those resolutions a reality.
I think that one of the best resolutions is that recorded by Joshua.
Joshua 24:15b – But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (NIV)
Unfortunately, we can also resolve to do things totally contrary to Joshua's resolution.
Almost four years ago, on April 23, 2018, a disturbed young man resolved to rent a van and drive recklessly down Yonge Street, the main street of Toronto. He killed ten people and injured sixteen others. It was horrific to look down from my balcony that afternoon to see injured and dead bodies strewn on the sidewalk and street. That terrible event affected me, my fellow residents, and people in Toronto, across Canada, and even around the world.
But something positive that came out of that day made the news in November 2021.
Amaresh Tesfamariam had been en route to her job at Fudger House, a long-term care home in downtown Toronto, when the van paralyzed her from the neck down. She remained in the hospital until her death at the end of October 2021.
Yet, she learned how to speak through the ventilator valve, and she would tell the doctors that she felt so rich because she was surrounded by loving family. She maintained such a positive attitude.
Despite the pain of her loss, family members say that they are trying to follow her example to be kind, patient, and above all, grateful.
When I was discussing this with a senior staff member, she reminded me of my devotional that was published on June 1, 2018, entitled Alone, in which I wrote about how hundreds marched down Yonge Street singing the words by Kristin Chenoweth, made famous by Bill Gaither:
- Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives.
Even as we remember so many bad things, like the Yonge Street van attack or the deaths, disruptions, and inconvenience of the current pandemic, I hope that you will join me in resolving to be grateful, kind, and helpful to others, following the direction of Jesus.
Matthew 5:38-39 – Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. (KJV)
Certainly, a resolution to follow the teachings of Jesus, spoken almost 2000 years ago, and the resolution proclaimed by Joshua hundreds of years before that, would be our best resolutions for 2022!
Prayer: Dear Father, help us to resolve to follow the teachings given to us by Jesus. With His help, may we share Your love with others. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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Happy New Year, Vince.
Thank you again, Vincent for a wonderful devotion.
Thanks and wishing you many blessings for 2022, Vincent!
Thanks, Vince. That scripture is on a plaque tied to my front porch to help me remember.
Thank you, Vincent, for sharing this inspiring devotional with us. Praying for a more compassionate world! To God be the glory! Blessings.
Morning Vincent and Happy New Year. I remember your devotional from 2018…and now this one. Thank you, once again, for writing such wise words.
Thanks for your devotion today. What wonderful advice for us all as we enter into a new year. Happy New Year and keep writing. I always enjoy reading your devotions.
Dear Vincent,
Thank you so much for your beautiful, inspiring devotional. How I love “Because He Lives”. It gives such hope. I feel blessed!
YES, Vincent! What you have written and let us see through your words, is memorable and helps me today! Thank you for putting some flesh on what seemed a threadbare subject till you wrote! Blessings on you and your writing today.
Good morning, Vince,
A great devotional ending with a great pray to start of 2022. Thank you for sharing from your heart and I pray that the whole world will try to be kind, patient, and grateful. Blessings and keep inspiring us.
Thank you very much for today’s devotional Vincent. As always, it’s a pleasure to read them, such comforting words. I remember reading that devotional.
Happy New Year and may the Good Lord continue to bless you. Keep up the good works.
Dear Vincent,
Thank you for the devotional that shows us that God can bring good things from bad, to those who love him. I join your resolve to be grateful, kind, and helpful. Thank you for your encouragement to us all.
Happy New Year Vince!
May 2022 be a good one for you. Many thanks for the very meaningful devotionals you write, and may you continue with your excellent writings as this one that you presented this morning.
Blessings.
Dear Vincent, but I think I should address you as Mr. Walter, I want to thank you for not only this devotional, but the very many that you write that have such wisdom, and such reflection on all manner of practical and ordinary circumstances. They give us, the readers of the daily devotional, a refreshing start to our day.
Dear Vince,
Thanks again for another awesome Devotional. I too want to follow Jesus’ teachings in 2022 and to share his love to those around me.
Thanks again. Keep up the good work.
(On.)
Thanks, Vincent, for sharing this message! It gives me hope and affirms within me, my longing and determination to follow Jesus and His teachings more and more each day! This just brought the hymn to mind: All to Jesus, I Surrender. May each of us who read this today resolve to grow more like Jesus day by day, minute by minute!
Blessings to you in this new year!
Good morning, Vincent,
Very good words this morning, Thank you. Many years ago we had a plate hanging in our house, above the door, every time we went in, we or any one who looked up, would see it. “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord”. In one of our many moves it was broken or lost, but we still do serve the Lord.
Blessings and a happy New year.
Happy New Year Mr. Walter!
Thank you for writing such a heartfelt devotional. I just needed to read a few lines, and I knew it was you.
I get out of bed each day thanking God for all our blessings. I can’t begin to imagine what she went through, but we should all aspire to live our lives in full gratitude to our gracious God!
Blessings to you.
Dearest Mr. Walter,
I must say first and foremost, Happy New Year 2022 – I pray for a Covid-19 free year for all.
I moved to the Netherlands and with the covid-19 pandemic I haven’t been able to visit my family and I pray to do so in 2022.
I must tell you I look forward to devotionals daily, my friend sent me a subscription which I cherish to read everyday.
I love reading your devotionals, your stories take me along with you as if I am in the same room with you. Somehow you always teach me something.
I pray for you and your fellow residence in the Yonge Street building as my dad is in a retirement village in North York and feeling lonely, but I remind him always, we are healthy, we are safe and protected in our walls and to pray everyday. He said since he moved into his retirement village he prays more.
I wish you a very Blessed DAY.
Thank you and I look forward to your writings.
Be safe, keep healthy, and may I wish you beautiful blessings today and always!
Thank you once again, Walter, and a blessed new year to you and yours.
I plan to send this devotional along to my students with my new year’s greetings this evening.
Merci bien.
Bless you for revisiting this sad time but showing how hearts can be transformed in the face of tragedy and despair.
Followers of the Way always have a choice to make a pleasant path for others by shining their light along it.
Happy New Year, Vincent,
(BC)
Just read your devotional of that horrific day. I will pray the vision of that day will dim as I don’t know if it will ever leave you. Always enjoy reading your devotionals.
Thanks Vince! I do appreciate your devotionals. I don ‘t make New Year’s resolutions but I do strive to be more like Jesus every day.
Blessings.