Moving forward!

Well, as you know the new year is here and I already have both feet on the ground running. Isn't there supposed to be some kind of break or something in life? You know, stop - take a moment and catch your breath? Life just keeps moving forward and it doesn't slow down. But really, that is such a wonderful thing. We're moving closer to eternity and it can't get any better than that! Mom was reminding me of that this afternoon. The Lord is coming soon!

We sent a New Year letter out to many this year and spoke of the goodness of God in it. This last year His goodness has passed before us in so many ways. In all our travels, His goodness was there. In ministering to the children at camp or DVBS His goodness was there. In the sorrow and grief of lost loved ones, even there we saw His goodness. His goodness is everywhere but sometimes we don't recognize it because we're too busy, or maybe we're just not looking for it and so we don't realize it.

Moses said in Ex. 33:13 "show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight." I love it that the Lord's answer was "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

It is the Lords goodness that His Presence goes with us. In having Him with us we have rest. Are you enjoying that rest? Are you enjoying His Presence? Yes, we're busy, especially those who have small children. But His rest can be realized in freedom from worry. Moses had the care of all the Israelites, in the dry, hot, weary desert. But they lacked nothing. They received refreshment, food and protection from the Lord, who promised to be with them.

This past year may have been a dry, hot desert at times. Or maybe the coming year will bring wilderness troubles. But the Presence of the Lord is with us in even a greater way than Moses experienced. We have the indwelling Spirit of the Living God. The One who is our Comforter and Guide.

John 14:16,17 and 26,27
"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you . Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

I don't know about you, but I realize everyday how much more I need Him. I am praying this year that just like Moses, I too will know Him more. Knowing Him, means enjoying His Presence in a new and wonderful way. Knowing Him means realizing more of His goodness.