“Let us cross over to the other side”

Hello! Happy New Year! May the gracious LORD guide you throughout and fulfil the wishes of your heart!

‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ Numbers 6:24-26

New year! There is always a certain happiness and excitement when we enter a New Year! We also hope for better and the best things, along with health and prosperity for ourselves and others. However, oftentimes, there is a slight anxiousness and dread when we look at the new unknown, despite our usual optimistic nature. It could be tied to the uncertainties of the future, or pertaining to career, education, health, ageing family members or even the general status quo of the world. It could also be a reflection of the past year, and the struggles which came with it. Nevertheless, there is a remarkably simple way to overlook the existential dread and crises. All we have to do is to remember that we are not alone. And I do not just mean our fellow humans, but specifically a plus one - God.

Mark 4:35-41 and Luke 8:22-25 records the incident of Jesus and his disciples crossing a lake.

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” Mark 4:35-41

Now imagine Jesus saying to us, “Let us cross over to the other side”. Except, rather than crossing a lake, we are at the threshold of a new year! And our good Lord is not asking us to cross through it alone, but he is taking us with Him. We might face some struggles. Squalls might arise to swamp us. But remember that we are not alone. We do not have to be afraid of whatever that might materialise in this new year, we just have to have faith that it is for our good.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

So let us waddle into this new year without fear, with the best company we could ask for! Here's to another 365 days around the sun! Let us run in our track of life, with faith and grow closer to our LORD! Joy and happiness will follow! Remember…

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. Psalm 145:18