A popular slogan this time of the year declares, “wise men still seek him.” For many people, December heralds a time of reflection on the past twelve months as well as cautious optimism for the year ahead. This time of the year used to be difficult for me as I assessed my triumphs and failures from the old year. It is very easy to become saddened by yesterday’s disappointment.
Psalms 32:8 joyfully states – “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” As we enter into the New Year, I propose that we in the body-of-Christ, seek the Lord as the wise men of old, as we pronounce our new year’s resolutions. Sometimes we are confused about career life, relationships, and business decisions. I am learning that we must still look to the Lord no matter how big or small the decision seems. Jeremiah 33:3 declares with extreme clarity, – “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Too often we call upon the Lord to sanction an already made decision or we look to Him to clean up a bad decision. I try to make sure that I have sought the Lord for His guidance before I take action.
God willing, 2017 will mark my twentieth law school reunion. One of the questions I asked the Lord when I finished law school twenty years ago, was, “what if your [God’s] plan isn’t my plan?” Would I be able to accept God’s plan for my career life if it was different from my desires. This is why wise men still seek Him. The New Year will bring many obstacles and choices for the Christian believer. Seeking the counsel of God will spare much heart-ache, confusion and unnecessary struggle in our relationships with each other, finances, parenting and in our walk with Christ. I encourage the Christian believer to pray and meditate to ask God to reveal what areas of life should be the focus in this New Year. People often ask, “Why should we consult God for our everyday affairs?” I think the answer is found in the following scripture:
Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Embracing this scripture and taking it to heart will prevent the Christian believer from wandering in the proverbial waste land like the Hebrew children following the exodus from bondage.
The popular song Auld Lang Syne, sung all over the world at the dawn of a new year, was written by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788. The song is sung to symbolize endings and new beginnings. The song essentially asks us, “Should old friends or old things be forgotten?” As we seek the Lord’s guidance, some old things should be forgotten. Forget impatience, faithlessness, anger, anxiety and fear. Seek trust, love, joy and abiding comfort when you know you are walking in the will of God. Wise men still seek Him.
Elder Jerome Woods, II is the husband of Alana M. Woods and is the son of the late Jerome Woods, Sr. and Larina Woods. He is a Washington, D.C. native and associate Elder at High Calling Ministries pastored by George W. Hawkins, Jr. Elder Woods is a graduate of The George Washington University (1994) where he received his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with minors in Sociology and Latin Classical Humanities. Elder Woods received his Juris Doctorate in 1997 from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.
Wonderful Jerry!!!!