Gò0dNews for Everyone
New Horizon
A
by Janise Copeman
s we see the hustle and bustle of the times we live
more like Christ and not an imitation of someone else. What
in, it can get harder to slow it down—to take a look
better role model to have than the Lord? He has given us all
over the past year and meditate on it. It has been an
a purpose and particular gifts to fulfill that purpose with
interesting one for sure! Many new struggles and challenges
this guidance. When we focus more on His agenda versus
have faced us all. We get in the habit of making New Year’s
our own, we will find our true fulfillment. Now, with all
resolutions and a fresh start. We think about our successes or
those projects, goals, aspirations, if we put them in the
failures and start setting goals or projects for the new year. We
Lord’s hands and ask Him to help us reach those goals, the
hear all the time, “I will get to it after the holidays.” Whatever
outcome may be put in a whole different perspective.
it may be, we are wanting to put the past behind us and start with a whole new beginning or outlook come January.
As I am getting older, my goals and my wants have changed. As we enter every new season in our lives, our perspectives and lists change. My eyes are more set on the eternal things—the inward man or woman which will never die but is renewed daily and will go on forever. The things we do in the here and now will be a major part of that. The materialistic world we live in, which is flooded daily with TV, social media, etc. can blind us to what is really important and those things that will never rust or decay. Matthew 6:19-20, “Do no store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” I hope this is an encouragement to someone
As I spend my quiet time alone with the Lord, He gently
(and myself) who has struggled with New Year’s resolutions
reminds me just how temporary our life is here. It’s just a
or goals and felt the pain of failure, to ask the Lord to
vapor. And the things we may hold important will only
show you what is truly important and have Him cut away
fade. It’s those things that are eternal and will last forever
anything that is not in His best interest for you. To align you
that our hearts should lean into. Things such as family and
to focus on those things He has purposed for you, to bring
showing the love of Christ to others, bringing others closer
Him glory, and to fulfill His great commission. To set our
to Christ, and planting seeds for His Kingdom. Our eternal
priorities according to His plan for our lives.
be in our focus. The world we live in can be so upside down as far as what is important and considered success. Our focus should be on what the Lord desires. We should only strive to be
48 // January 2022
Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” About The Author
residence and those who we touch along this journey should
Janise Copeman lives in Trion,Georgia, is 49 years old, and she is blessed to be married to her soulmate for 26 years. She enjoys reading, writing, and encouraging others by spreading joy and love in the Lord.
