2016 – what a year! I’ve had the great privilege of speaking to people on the street, in various churches and simply in the workplace. I’ve been blessed to work with great mentors at Resound Media who are helping me further along the musical path that the Lord has set me on – and will have more of that to look forward to in 2017! Organising a fabulous fundraising gig in support of Open Doors and performing with Out of the Ashes was a treat in March and most recently working with some talented musicians to form a new band for gigs lined up in 2017. Much to be excited about and greatly thankful for.
But one of the overall things I remember this year is the conversation with so many precious people about their 2016 experiences leaving them hopeless, discouraged or just bemused by the things happening around the world.
I encouraged people with the assurance that when someone loves us as much as God does, then we have nothing to fear. No need to be anxious about all these happenings. Jesus knew we would need His strength during the crazy times that we live in, because He encouraged us through Peter to “cast all your care on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7)
We can have peace in the midst of increasing pressures, peace that comes from knowing He has it all in hand, when we don’t have a clue how it’s going to work out. Sounds good – but what does it mean in reality?
If you’ve been in anguish over the EU referendum, burdened with the tragedy of the refugees fleeing Syria, in despair about the increasing terrorist attacks or simply don’t know how you will meet the Christmas bills this month then you qualify for the peace of God. Simply ask Him to take care of all these issues and thank Him for the peace in your heart and mind that you need. The good news is that we don’t have to understand how these things are going to be resolved. Once we’ve handed it over the God it’s His responsibility to fulfil whatever is needed. So this Christmas, ask Jesus for the gift of peace and then “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”
Merry Christmas and I hope to see you at a gig sometime in 2017!