01 Feb January Recap: Hills and Valleys

Posted at 10:34h in Monthly Recap by

It’s here. We’re one month into a brand new year that no doubt has us wondering, “What’s ahead in 2021?” and “How do I prepare for what’s coming?” I’m no prophet, but I can tell you, based on the authority of God’s Word it will be a year with lots of unknowns, yet filled with the overwhelming certainty of the Hope we have in our Lord God… our God who makes no predictions, but only assures us with His iron-clad promises.

Read Deuteronomy 11:11-12:

“But the land that you are going over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water by the rain from heaven, a land that the Lord your God cares for. The eyes of the Lord your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.”

Here’s what we can know for sure about 2021:

  • There will be “hills and valleys” ahead of us.
  • This year will be hard, but good;
  • There will be difficulties and disappointments;
  • There will be happy times that leave us breathless with laughter,
  • And times that will be full of heartache and sorrow…painful to the core.
  • There will be loss and gain.
  • There will be sweetness and peace.

And there will not be one second of 2021 that God has not already walked ahead of us in; not one step He’s not tenderly, protectively cared for or lovingly watched over; not one thing He’s unprepared for.

If 2020 taught me anything, it’s this: Keep my eyes on Jesus, because his eyes are on me and all that’s ahead of me. That’s the one and only resolution I’ll make: to keep my eyes on the One who has seen it all, “from the beginning of the year to the end of the year,” and will see to it all.

So, how do we practically keep our eyes on Jesus? First and foremost, by keeping our eyes in His Word: the Bible. That’s where we *hear* Him speak to us; that’s where we learn to know what He’s like and trust Who He is, and learn to talk with Him. God’s perfect, infallible Word is where we find wisdom, nourishment and refreshment in the “rains of heaven;” it’s where we become strengthened to keep running our race; equipped to stand fearless in the face of our fears.

2021, what will we look back and remember about you? Let it be that we learned to live with our eyes on the Only One who can do anything about everything that concerns us; that we logged beautiful, hard miles together with Him that results in loving Him more!

Thank you for your grace these past several weeks as I took time to a respite from ministry to catch my breath after my Mother’s passing. I’m eager to get back together with you all and am committed to serving you in 2021— encouraging you, teaching you, and helping us all to keep our eyes focused on Jesus and our feet walking firmly in faith. And, thank you for the privilege of doing LIFE with you. I pray a peace-filled, healthy and blessed New Year to you, and look forward to continuing the journey together!

I love y’all dearly, and don’t you forget that you are greatly and dearly loved by The King!
xo – P ♥️