Journey into Year 2023
As we enter a new year, we can seize it as an opportunity for a fresh start. Expecting wonderful surprises. But we can also reflect on whatever good we experienced in the year past.
What do you treasure most about what’s behind you? What do you look forward to doing, seeing, hearing, just “being” you in the year ahead?
Arthur Gordon, in “Return to Wonder” challenges us to look for and treasure even the unexpected. And yes, to look back with gratitude.
“Life is such a mysterious and complicated journey. Most travelers, I think, look back in terms of things they see on their journeys. But I believe the things you remember longest are often the sudden, unexpected, surprising little happenings that jolt you for half a second, out of the rut you are in, or perhaps even out of the self you normally are,” he writes.1
That really speaks to me! Sudden, unexpected, surprising little happenings. Wow. They do have a way of jolting me out of a rut. Can you identify too? When you recall memories what pops into your mind? Experiences–yours or other people’s? How God played a special role in your life? What causes you to wonder the most?
“Driving yourself to return to wonder is one thing, doing it is another,” admits Gordon. “The trouble lies not in the lack of memories, but in the abundance of them. There are so many that the choice becomes difficult…In a way I think the more commonplace the happening the better. Then you have to work a bit to see the miraculous and let it come through. Perhaps what you have to do is add astonishment to ordinary cause-and-effect.” Gordon says. 2
When I go to last year’s memory bank, I have a tendency to recall the sadness rather than the good.
For instance, just days before Christmas three of my precious long-time friends died. They all went to heaven and are enjoying a glorious life now. But oh, the heartache I feel as I miss talking with them via phone. So, I decided when I talk with their surviving spouses, I can help us both laugh by recalling something funny or remarkable that each said or did. And I marvel at the wonder.
I even helped one husband decide what to engrave on his wife’s gravestone. JoAnne had travelled with me as an intercessor throughout this nation and Europe when I spoke on my book topics–so he added PRAYER WARRIOR to her gravestone. He and I have spent a great deal of time swapping stories about her remarkable gift of leading people to salvation– to accept Jesus as Savior. And we repeated her clever sayings which she called her blurbs.
As Christians we can pause at the beginning of this new year to renew our dedication to our Savior Jesus Christ. To praise God for our life and anchor our trust in His promises for our future as we continue on our life’s journey. Asking the Holy Spirit too to guide and teach us.
Let’s not forget to look for wonder even in the commonplace!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for our very life itself–and for the way You have helped us on our earth’s journey. We praise You for what You have done for us and through us. May we remember to be Your hands outstretched to those You put in our path. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Scripture: O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. (Psalm 136:1 NASB)
These are the stages of the journeys of the Israelites, by which they came out of the land of Egypt by their [tribal] armies, under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. Moses recorded their points of departure, as the Lord commanded, stage by stage; and these are their journeys according to their points of departure. (Numbers 33:1-2 AMP)
Footnotes:
1. Arthur Gordon, Return to Wonder-Recapture a Childlike Fascination with Daily Life, A Guidepost book. Broadman & Holman Publishers, Nashville, TN. copyright, 1996, page 94.
2. Ibid. page 67.
Quin’s note: I had the privilege of sitting under Arthur Gordon, one of the writing instructors at Guideposts Magazine writers workshop, some years ago and his many books continue to inspire readers.
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