New Horizon

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New Horizon

by Janise Copeman

As we see the hustle and bustle of the times we live in, it can get harder to slow it down—to take a look over the past year and meditate on it. It has been an interesting one for sure! Many new struggles and challenges have faced us all. We get in the habit of making New Year’s resolutions and a fresh start. We think about our successes or failures and start setting goals or projects for the new year. We hear all the time, “I will get to it after the holidays.” Whatever 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 spend my quiet time alone with the Lord, He gently reminds me just how temporary our life is here. It’s just a vapor. And the things we may hold important will only fade. It’s those things that are eternal and will last forever that our hearts should lean into. Things such as family and showing the love of Christ to others, bringing others closer to Christ, and planting seeds for His Kingdom. Our eternal residence and those who we touch along this journey should 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 more like Christ and not an imitation of someone else. What better role model to have than the Lord? He has given us all a purpose and particular gifts to fulfill that purpose with this guidance. When we focus more on His agenda versus our own, we will find our true fulfillment. Now, with all those projects, goals, aspirations, if we put them in the Lord’s hands and ask Him to help us reach those goals, the outcome may be put in a whole different perspective.

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 (and myself) who has struggled with New Year’s resolutions or goals and felt the pain of failure, to ask the Lord to show you what is truly important and have Him cut away anything that is not in His best interest for you. To align you to focus on those things He has purposed for you, to bring Him glory, and to fulfill His great commission. To set our priorities according to His plan for our lives.

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

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.

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