A few weeks ago Cynthia and I were able to sneak off and spend some time together. We had the privilege, and it was a privilege, to see the real life story of a young man by the name of Michael Oher in the movie the Blind Side. Cynthia being the fanatical football fan that she is (smile) decided to take her husband, who barely has any interest in the game of football (smile), to see this real life story. This story was not just of an athlete who now plays offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens but of a young man who was raised in one of the worst testaments in the inner city of Memphis. He was given a fresh start by some people who lived in a totally different world than he who did not even know him.
I don't know about you, but I thank God that as we enter into another New Year. I'm thankful because the good Lord has graciously allowed us to see another year yet didn't have to and with a new year always comes the excitement of a fresh start. Whether it be a renewed commitment to read through the Bible in a year, a renewed commitment to finally stop talking about exercise and get those old bones moving in a forward direction, or a renewed commitment to a relationship with our spouse or children, the New Year, for many of us symbolizes, the ability to thank God for this past year. We also have the privilege begin this New Year with a renewed hope that this year might be better than last year in one or more areas of our lives.
Have you ever stopped and thought how our ability to even hope for a better year has ultimately nothing to do with us and everything to do with Him and the unlimited display of His great mercy upon us? One of my all time favorite passages of scripture that best captures this thought for me is Paul's prayer for the saints in Ephesians 1:3-10.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has BLESSED US in Christ with EVERY SPIRTUAL BLESSING in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ according to the purpose of His will to the praise of His glorious grace, which he has BLESSED US in the Beloved...."
He goes on to say in this passage that it is because we are in Christ and we have been redeemed by His blood. He forgave us for our sins not because we are so good, not because we are so cool, not even because we are so unrighteous but simply because of the riches of His great GRACE. (Paul would say in Romans 3 that there is none righteous no not one- vs. 10.)
This year as you think about the areas in your life that need the fresh start that a New Year affords, take a moment to thank our great God. He has bestowed His Grace upon us and out of His great grace and mercy He has given us in Christ everything we need to begin again.
Shalom!
Dr. Dwight Perry
