A New Year and a New Opportunity

Tim Falk – Wynyard Gospel Church
Jan 9, 2025

I am a big fan of evaluating and adjusting. Every day we make decisions. And even in not making decisions, we are shaping our lives. So I want to encourage all of us to take a hard look at our lives and consider the choices we are making.

One of the best jobs I ever had was working at Superstore. I was the set up guy in the Produce department. My favourite part of the job was when people would come up to me looking for something and I could help them find it, or find someone who could.

Looking back I think there are a couple of principles that brought me joy and purpose that can be applied to our lives. I had peace in my job knowing I wasn't the one in charge. There were so many managers and assistant managers and branch managers trying to make it to the top. It was chaos. We saw more managers replaced than actual floor level employees. I had clear responsibilities and opportunities to help but I never had the pressure of making profit or making sure we had enough produce being shipped.

There is joy in serving. Our culture is unfortunately, and maybe unconsciously, promoting a "me first" mentality. While there are places and times when this is important, this is rarely where joy is found. We only have to think back to Christmas and how much joy we receive when we see others appreciating something we gave them. There is more joy in giving than in receiving.

My challenges to you are simple. Consider the ways you will give or serve this year. Look for ways to volunteer and help out in your family, with your friends, and in your community.

The second challenge is to consider how much weight you are carrying. Are you the highest authority in your life? That comes with a lot of pressure. This means that it is up to you to provide all the physical, emotional and spiritual needs for yourself, but even more if you have children. Things can start to wear thin really quickly.

I want to encourage you to consider the place of God in your life. He is a good Father, He is a powerful Creator, and He is a personal Counsellor. In church we use the term surrender often because it is when we are at the end of our own strength that we find God and surrender to Him. He is good, and He cares for us. In Him you can find peace even if it is difficult right now. He is with you. He is available through prayer. He hears you.

Make this New Year the best by being intentional with all your decisions.