Philippians 4:13 “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” NIV

Peace and quiet reigned. The colourful Christmas lights framing the black of night through the windows reflected back upon themselves giving a 3 D effect. It was then that I noticed there were a few gaps in the lights. Some of the bulbs were not working. I checked them but discovered that they were not replaceable. Oh well, I thought, for the most part no one would notice. But I did.

This small incident got me thinking about my Christian life and how it is a lot like that string of Christmas lights. Like them I was connected to a power source. In my case, the power of Christ flowed through me. My life, for the most part, was day by day glowing for him through various works, words and attitudes. But I also knew that there were still gaps in my string of light. Areas dark or flickering: areas of attitude that needed renewal through the mind of Christ in order for them to be changed, to be replaced by the light of his life. Perhaps others did not notice but I did and I knew God did too.

But thankfully for me and for you, the lights in the string of our life are replaceable. Our thoughts, words, deeds and attitudes can all be changed, for as the apostle Peter has stated:

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” 2 Peter 1:3-4, NIV

As the New Year approaches we thus have hope. We have hope in the divine power that Christ has given us. We have hope that the gaps in the string of our life lights will be brighter in this New Year ahead, then they have been in the past, as we continue to place our faith in his very great and precious promises that insure that we can do all things, he calls us to do, through him who gives us strength.

Prayer: Father God what a great and marvelous Lord you are who is willing to allow us to share in your divine power that we might live lives of godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. May the song our heart this New Year be: Shine Jesus shine through the string of our life light throughout the world. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Lynne Phipps Atlin, B.C.