A New Year, An Old Life, A New Life and A Worn Path

We toss out the old 2006 calendars. We turn the page to a new month, a new year. Christians gathered privately and publicly to usher in a new year - together. Some of us welcomed in the new year by attending a gospel meeting where we opened the year with collective prayer. Some gathered in private homes to sing hymns and pray.

Some were missing. In 2006 some saints passed this stage of life to enter another realm. Some saints were absent because their tired, old bodies wouldn't propel them forward to attend another meeting. They're wearing out. They're growing tired. Like John on the secluded isle, they're desirous to be present even though it's physically impossible. Some were publicly remembered. Few noticed the absent of others. Old saints fade, but the work continues. Old Christians eventually die, but their influence of their lives continue.

New saints joined the army of the Lord in 2006. It's fitting that as age takes a heavy toll on the elder among us, it serves to mold the younger in the faith. God's plan of transitioning the fight from generation to generation is made possible, in part, by the passing of time. He doesn't count time as man does, but He has given us time to serve His purposes. Time provides experience to the inexperienced. It provides wisdom to the novice.

Together, the saints of all nations, walk a path that is no different now than it was in the first century. Time may make the path a bit more worn, but it doesn't damage the path in any way. Roads travelled may become broken, cracked and full of holes, but not this road. The road toward heaven is as pristine as when God first gave it. Perhaps it's because so few travel this road, but it's really because God gave it. His plan of salvation is as bright and shiny new today as it ever was. What it could do for Peter's audience at Pentecost - it still does today. Namely, it saves! It always has, it always will.

So while we let go of some hands because they're folded in death, we latch onto new hands of those born in the faith. We walk in unison toward the goal set before us. We're not members of a denomination. We're not walking according to our own designs. We're not blazing some new trails. We're walking where Christ walked. We're walking where saints of all ages have walked. The walk to heaven is sure. It's safe. It's well worn.

May the Lord bless His Church. May we use this new year - 2007 - to better serve Him, not ourselves. May we study His Word so we may serve Him better. May we pray more and rely on God more. May we guard our hearts and the hearts of our children. And may the Lord of Heaven bless us to uphold His Truth so we might stay on course so we can one day reach home.