Let’s Make the Year 2024 A Year of Trust: Part 1

As we embrace a new year, it's time to reflect on our past achievements and set our sights on the future. Through the trials and joys of the previous year, we have all grown in our unique ways. Now, it's time to take a step forward into 2024. This year let's make it "A Year of Trust".

Trust is a powerful word, often interchanged with faith and belief. But what does trust really look, feel, and taste like? To understand this, let's delve into one of a couple of Bible stories we will look at in this two-part sermon. They not only shed light on this theme but also reveal a profound lesson for us all.

The Story of Mary at the Tomb

Our first story is that of Mary at the Tomb, as described in John 20:1-18. Mary, in her longing for things to remain as they always were, discovers an empty tomb. Fearful and uncertain, she weeps at the loss of her Lord. However, an unexpected encounter with the resurrected Jesus gives her a new perspective.

Jesus tells Mary something profound, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” (John 20:17). This message is not just for Mary, but for you and me as we navigate through this new way of living in the Kingdom of God.

Jesus was preparing Mary for a significant adjustment. Though she may have wanted her relationship with Jesus to remain the same, He had a better idea. Instead of staying physically present, He would leave and send the Holy Spirit. This is a lesson about the need for letting go so we can embrace the new, a fundamental aspect of trust.

Nicodemus and Letting Go

Another biblical character who embodies this theme is Nicodemus. Jesus urges him to let go of his old beliefs and notions to embrace the new way of the Kingdom of God. To do this, one must confront their sadness, grief, and fear. Perhaps we might feel disoriented, lost in our direction, but that's where the beauty of trust stands out.

Repentance is a significant God's idea. It involves turning around going a different direction, and changing our minds and our thinking. But none of this will work if we forget the central step: revelation from above. We must have God give us a new vision of what's supposed to be. In other words, we need to see what it looks like from heaven’s perspective. This requires trust.

Adjusting to God

As we navigate through life, we constantly adjust ourselves. For instance, as we age and slow down, we might think that there's nothing much left for us to do. We may start doing less for God, but that's not the way it should be. We need to ensure that we are adjusting to God, not to our limited perceptions or our limitations.

So, what does trust look like, taste like, and feel like? Trust is like the anticipation I felt when I was learning to ride a bike or when I was getting engaged to Shelly. It's the leap of faith that we take, believing in the unseen, and knowing that God is leading us to a better path. It's about letting go and embracing the new. So, let's make 2024 a "Year of Trust".

Part 2 of our sermon will come soon.