New Year

When you replace a calendar with a new one, you look at the new picture. You look at the days ahead and for most people, begin looking at the schedule of things that need to be accomplished. But one thing that must be present in the heart as you look at this new month, new year ahead is a sense of hope.

Not only is there a desire for “I hope it is better than last year...” but also beyond that must be a sense that there is something transcendent—beyond the immediacy of doctor’s appointments, getting the oil changed, and planning a party. We have a desperate need for something that is big- ger than all of the mundane and temporal events and that provides meaning to everything that we do.

So where do we look? Generally we look for diversions from routine to provide meaning. Or we hope in relationships to give a sense of significance. Or we invest in our jobs, our kids or our volunteer work to give us that sense of transcendence.

What we need to do is be like the magi from the East. We need to look up. Their GPS to the manger was a star. “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel....” They were looking at the star that was the announcement of transcendence. Some- thing surpassing normal was happening and they were going to get to view it. This star was the announcement of the King of kings, the long awaited Messiah.

And that is how transcendence will come to us. Meaning will be made of the mundane as we look to the King of Kings and get caught up with what He is doing. And as mysterious as that may be and humbling as it must be, we will no longer rule our days but be able to submit to His direction for us and interpretation of our existence.

I need that Hope that is stated in I John 3:2: But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.