2011 has been an interesting year that was full of surprises. As the year began I was fully involved with my Wedding Officiant business but little else. Then came the call that would launch me into a role that I didn't even know existed. As the year has progressed, Corporate Chaplaincy has become a key part of who I am. The last 12 months have also reminded me to be thankful for those God brings into my life, many of whom I didn't even know when the year began.
Many of us like to reflect on New Years Eve to the year that was. Some will tell you that we should not look back and only to what is ahead and as I have stated many times before, that is counsel that I do not necessarily agree with. If I do not look back I forget about all that God has done for me and that He owes me nothing. That might sound harsh but it is the truth. Jesus did everything for us when He died on the cross for us.
When I reflect on my year I am reminded that much of the "good" that happened, had nothing to do with my prayers, my behaviour, my tithing or my attendance at church services. In fact if the "good" had depended on any of those things, my life would be a mess today. I don't say that with pride obviously and yet it reveals the grace of God. I spoke earlier of the call that came out of nowhere and it had nothing to do with me reading my Bible for 1/2 hour each day or praying for 1 hour. Old Testament thinking would have us believe that I "got" because I did all the right things as a Christian. It is also not dependent on me knowing theology. Having said all that, there is a BIG BUT!
Tim Tebow is a celebrity football player in the US. He is a celebrity not because he is the best quarterback in the league but rather because he expresses his faith on the football field. Atheists and humanists are attacking the man with such vigor that even some non-believers are puzzled by the attacks on the man's character. There are many pro athletes in recent months that have been charged with major criminal offenses that have been basically ignored by the media and fellow athletes. The problem for Tebow is quite simple: he is not shy about letting people know about his faith in Jesus Christ. He has been labelled by the media as the "most polarizing figure in sports". He is polarizing because he doesn't fit the mold and for no other reason. He acts the way he does because he wants everyone to know his success can only be attributed to the Lord.
I throw this story in for a reason. As believers living in 2012, what are we doing with our faith? The grace we have been shown by the Lord should cause us to shine before all men. If God's grace is seen as a license to sin, we have missed it. We are alive on this planet, regardless of where you live, to be ambassadors for Christ. If the fruit of our walk with the Lord brings dishonour to Him, we are abusing the grace offered to us. We don't "do" to get; we "do" because of what Christ has already done for us. That is why we never forget our past and why we live in the present and we are sure of our future.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
