2023 is here and a new year of adventures begins! But what a ride was 2022.
Back in November of 2022 the world population reached 8 billion. How wild is that? 8 billion neighbors on this wonderful Earth. That is something!
Earth shaking troubles happed last year as well. We have all experienced the effects of rising inflation and the decrease in the spending power of the dollar. The combined net worth of America’s 400 richest tech billionaires reduced to $350 billion in 2022. Everybody is getting poorer! Even going to McDonald’s is like having dinner at an expensive restaurant. =p
Our ever-fluctuating economic climate always reminds me to forego utter dependance upon mammon but yearn for heavenly treasures. In Christ that we find the hidden treasure and priceless pearl worth selling everything to obtain. We are thus better off laboring for what neither moth and rust can destroy nor thieves burglarize and steal.
Anxiousness about COVID still linger on. Yes, we ought to practice self-care. Eat well. Get enough sleep. Exercise. While self-care is necessary for our well-being, it is hardly sufficient. The reality of the situation is that we will all die of our last illness and that everyone is but one breath away from eternity. Self-care by itself is vanity. True wellness is never finding the unobtanium of guaranteed health and wealth. We are reminded that Christ is the resurrection and the life, whoever believes in Him, even if they should die, they will live.
We have seen geo-political tensions escalate in Eastern Europe and manifested in the Russian invasion of the Ukraine. War, refugees, blood, destruction, and death. Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy. We are never short of situations wherein two tribes go to war. Our generation has its share of tribulations. Peace is found in Christ, who is the Prince of Peace. He is still in control of all things, He knows our pains, and He is coming again to set things right.
Christianity designates the new year AD 2023. The “AD” stands for Anno Domini which means “In the year of our Lord.” This is a constant reminder of the supremacy of Christ. The betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection were nigh, yet despite the approaching calamities, Jesus assures the disciples, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33, KJV).
In Christ that we find the well full of living water that gives everlasting life to anyone who drinks of it. In Christ that we find the Bread of Life that will sustain us through the wilderness like the manna that the Israelites received through their wilderness sojourn from Yahweh. Anything but Christ is building a house upon the sand, which is destroyed by the storms of life in a sinful and fallen world. Those who are united with Christ have homes built upon a rock, which withstands the storms.
Fellow Christians, we hope because, as Paul puts it, “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rm. 8:38-39, KJV).
Happy New Year!
— WGN
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