Keeping Current with Global Outreach – Middle East Review
February 3, 2010
By Patrick N., Friend Serving Abroad in the Middle East, shown here with his family, all flashing their new passports!
With every ending comes a new beginning. At no other time is this more pronounced than at the end of a calendar year. Not long ago, we said, “Goodbye” to 2009 and “Hello” to 2010. Some welcomed in the New Year with great anticipation of good things to come. Others may have done so with fear and trepidation, sure that some sort of doom and gloom lie ahead. I think for me it’s a mix.
As we approach the end of the year, we often reflect upon the events of the previous twelve months, especially those things that are enjoyable to recall. Maybe we are reminded of those rare moments spent with family and friends. Perhaps we remember a special occasion or milestone like a wedding, graduation or the birth of a baby. One of the big thrills of the year for our family was how God provided us with visas to live in Israel, this after hearing of so many people who were denied this privilege.
Of course, God’s people don’t only encounter favorable circumstances. Undoubtedly, there are some whose year was marked by grave difficulties or even unspeakable tragedy. I’m sure many have faced financial challenges of some sort due to the lagging economy or the loss of a job or retirement funds. Others may be grieving the loss of a loved one or struggling through a painful divorce. I pray these times of trial will pass quickly.
Through all of my experiences of 2009, either positive or negative, I saw God at work in my life, always for my betterment. Everything that has happened to me throughout my life, good and bad, was an opportunity for personal growth. I know God is concerned about my character more than he is about my comfort. That gives me great hope for the coming calendar year and beyond. I encourage you to carefully consider your life to discover the many ways in which God has worked and in which he is working even today. I believe without a doubt that you will find him faithful.
