At the turn of the year, when the old one is on its way out and the new one is emerging on the horizon, one needs to look a little inward. Where are we and how did we get here? We need to recognise what is wrong and how we can fix it. 

I suspect that the turn of the year forces you to do some introspection. When you know where you stand, you know where you’re going. Sometimes, we need to make a few small adjustments; sometimes, we need to make big ones. 

On the second day of the new year, I received an emergency call via the chat on our website. Let’s call him Franco. He wrote a short message, but those few words spoke volumes: “Hi, I’m F, I’m a sinner. I want to learn the Bible by studying it. Can you help me with that, if possible? Thank you!” 

I suspect that at the turn of the year, Franco sat down on a rock and looked at his life’s picture and where he found himself at that moment. I suspect the picture didn’t look so good. 

I suspect he was embarrassed by some of what he saw. I suspect he felt lost and that it was time to raise his hand and ask for help. He knew where to go looking for help: In God’s Word. 

Of course, we don’t have to wait for the beginning of the year to make adjustments. We can and should go to God’s Word for guidance at any time. That’s where we hear God’s promises again. That’s where we hear again what we must do, how we must walk in this world and where we must not turn off. 

Every author of the books of the Bible gives us a stick to help us on the paths of life. Here at the end of his first letter, Peter explains why he writes: 

12… I’ve written as urgently and accurately as I know how. This is God’s generous truth; embrace it with both arms!  

When we keep our noses in God’s Word the attacks can come. The hard times can knock on our front door, we will remain standing, because we will find courage to keep going in the Word of God. 

We will read how privileged we are to receive a huge amount of grace from God’s hand. We will remember again that we were lost, and that Jesus paid for our sins. 

When we realise we’ve taken a wrong turn and find ourselves in the wrong place, we must raise our hand and ask for help. Then, like Franco, we must return to the Truth where we will receive help and guidance. 

Let’s all make a new commitment to find time for God’s Word every day and find guidance in it. May we get serious about making it part of our whole being, so that we don’t mishear, make the wrong decision and end up in the wrong place again. 

Scripture
1 Peter 5:12-14 

Reflection
Do you have a few adjustments to make?
How can the Bible help you?
How can you spend more time with God’s Word? 

Prayer
Father, thank you for Your Word. I believe it shows me the way. Please help me walk the Bible way. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.