Uncharted

At the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers/Photo copyright Erik Thorson 2012

That's what momma always says. 

She says that beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning. 

Just give hope a chance to float up. 

-Birdee Pruitt 

"Hope Floats"

The bling of Christmas 2012 will soon be gone. That is, it will as soon as I get out the boxes and reverse last month's decorating binge. Next week, a bloated culture will begin the grind through another gray January. The treadmills will come out for a few weeks, and a host of promises will briefly but hopefully bathe the new year in a rosy tint.

For many of this world's inhabitants, there is no rosy tint to the coming year. Heartache and suffering are on a rampage unrivaled in history. The icy jaws of uncertainty have the infant year in its grip already as we brace for a collision as America's ship of state falters.

Fear has been uncaged as the nations stand at the brink of uncharted waters.

Thank God we have been freed from fear. Thank God we have a Captain who knows the way. Because we have such a great Controller of all things, we "exult in hope of the glory of God."

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations,

knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;

and perseverance, proven character;

and proven character, hope;

and hope does not disappoint.

Romans 5:2-5

Because no matter what Birdee's momma always said, God's Word tells us that the ending will be awesome. He has promised a future so bright, the sufferings of this world won't even compare. Not even a little.

No matter what the new year brings, we know that to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Our ending has been secured for us, and it's going to be glorious.

We have no idea what is coming in 2013. But we can rest assured that our hope in Him will float. If we cling to Him, we will come safely through every storm. The path is only uncharted for us. He knows the way.

He still calms the waves.

Call to Me

and I will answer you,

and I will tell you great and mighty things,

which you do not know.

Jeremiah 33:3