From: Pastor Bruce

Greetings! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

All through the Advent/Christmas season, we are told that it is a joyful time and it is something to celebrate as we welcome our newborn savior. But many of us don’t find this season festive or joyous. Not because we aren’t glad that our savior is here, it is rather other things that happened in December, such as a loss of a loved one or some event that has shaken our foundation of who we are. As we reflect on 2024 and prepare for 2025, we have to look at our reflection to find our way forward.

In Luke 15:11-19, known as The Parable of the Lost Son, is a story of a young man who asked for his share of inheritance from his father. The father granted his request and not long after, he went to a far country. The prodigal son left a prosperous house in which he did not face lack or shortage. When the son spent all he had, he faced a severe lack when a famine arose in the land he was living in. New beginnings are hard to come by. They are almost too hard to believe. So the prodigal son was taken aback when his father accepted him without hesitation. No insults. No snide remarks. Just joy and love and even empowerment, as his father had a robe brought to him (a sign of belonging), shoes (a sign of freedom). Sometimes I think that this parable, the one we call the “Prodigal Son”,  should be called “The Loving Father”.

Many of us today have wandered away from the Father. The major reason why we wander away from God is because of an identity problem. When we are confused about who we are, we can become convinced that we are useless, worthless, and a failure.

When you lose your identity you lose your destiny. Identity is who you are. Do you know who you are? You’re not defined by the number of years on this planet or your past or failures. Your history is not your destiny! Sometimes, we allow the past to stop us from taking fresh opportunities. We allow the feelings of guilt, regret, rejection, pain, or depression to overwhelm us to the extent that it becomes difficult to move on. In order to walk in the newness of life, we must forget the past and forgive as well. Forgetting doesn’t mean, of course, that we wipe out our memories. It means we make a conscious decision to not let the past absorb our attention and hinder our progress.

A new year is a gift to erase all the ugly memories of yesterday while learning from yesterday’s mistakes. Refuse to concentrate on them. Receive God’s grace and keep pressing forward. Your destiny erases your mistakes! No matter what you’ve done, the good news is that you, too, can have a fresh start. No matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done, it is not over! God can give you a brand new start. The same grace the Prodigal Son received is available to you today. Isaiah 40 “But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Spread your wings! It’s time to Fly