The New Year is coming! 2017 is at our door. Many feel blessed and at peace with 2016, ready for the New Year, while others cannot wait for the door to close, praying for something better around the bend. No matter where you fall, you can look to the New Year with hope.
I came across a quote during my reading this Christmas season that I have been mulling over. In the book, “Devotions for Christmas,” there is a simple truth worth welcoming in a big way for 2017: “We don’t need to create something extraordinary for God to show up (p. 31).” What a great thing to embrace! God doesn’t expect me to do more or be more for Him to be interested in sharing more of Himself with me.
God loves the ordinary. He created it all—the amazing to the simple. He desires us to see Him in the ordinary. We don’t have to figure out any special protocol for the upcoming year to make sure we are doing our part. He is there, waiting for us to find Him. From folding laundry to pumping gas, carpool to cooking dinner, reading a book to working out…He is there! God shows up whenever and wherever we seek Him.
Even in the ordinary, God has great things in store for us. Jeremiah shares with us God’s thoughts, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future (29:11 NIV).” Days are made up of habitual repetitions and typical occurrences. We meander through our days never expecting anything extraordinary. Yet, God has plans, good plans for you and me!
What if you and I entered 2017 expecting God to show up in extraordinary ways in the ordinary of our days? This could change our view of just about everything. Scripture is full of promises and they are for us! “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).” The possibilities during our ordinary are endless. May we stand amazed at all God will show us this next year. Seek Him in the ordinary and find Him there. Then, watch the extraordinary unfold!
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