A new year is underway, and you don’t know what’s ahead. You’ve never been this way before. But you have the assurance that Jesus is with you. He knows the way, and he will be your guide. Trust in him as he faithfully leads the way!
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Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and this year is already underway.
Well, almost. Because this year ahead is still uncharted; it’s still a big unknown. It’s like you arriving at a forest trailhead, and you are preparing to take a long hike on a new trail. You may have read a little bit about the trail in a guidebook, but for you, everything will be new. Every bend in the trail a fresh discovery. Fields of wildflowers, mountain vistas, treacherous places. Places where the footing is shaky and the cliffs are sheer. It could be a little frightening, knowing that you’ve never been this way before. But as you tighten the straps on your pack, a quick glance up ahead reveals your Guide with a capital ‘G.’ There he is waiting for you, your trail Guide. He’ll be with you. He knows the way. He’s thought through provisions and exactly what you will need. He’s prepared to take on wild animals, as well as to teach you about natural wonders along the path. This is a picture of the month of January. It is still early as you face a new year. The way before you is cloaked in mystery. But Jesus Christ, your trail Guide, will be there for every step. Protecting you. Encouraging you. Leading you. And just being there.
Now, I love that picture of the future. And I love it because it’s true. It’s like Joshua right before he broke camp and was ready to cross the Jordan River. He knew the people were clueless as to what lay ahead; he knew they were a little anxious, and so he gave these orders to the people in Joshua 3. In the third verse he says, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.” Friend, that’s the perfect description of where you stand today as you face the rest of this month and the rest of the new year. You don’t know what’s up ahead; you don’t know which way to go. You’ve never been this way before. You have no idea what this year will hold for your health, for opportunities to serve God, for people to love and help and challenge in his name. No matter whether the travel is easy or a mad scramble up a slippery trail in the dark, you have the assurance that Jesus is with you. He is your Guide, he’s your God, and he is your best Friend.
These words – the ones I just shared with you – are straight out of my devotional book “A Spectacle of Glory.” It’s not often I read something directly from a book I have written, but as we start this week together, I thought these words and this picture of a trailhead would be especially fitting. And so may I say, if you have not chosen a devotional book for the year, I would love for you to journey along with me in “A Spectacle of Glory.” On each page, I share biblical insights – like this one from Joshua 3 – all in hopes that you will rest in the guidance of our God who has gone out ahead. Because there’s no doubt about it, we all need guidance in these dark and dangerous days. And I promise, you’ll find it; you’ll find solid, Christ-centered encouragement for each day in “A Spectacle of Glory.” So after this, just go to joniradio.org where I have posted a link so you can get more details. And while you are on my radio page, let the team here at Joni and Friends know how we can pray for you, especially if you are facing some daunting challenges in the months ahead. So come and visit us at joniradio.org where we sure do love sharing hope in your hardship. And don’t forget, as you head into the year, remember: Jesus is your Guide, he is your God, and he is your best Friend.
© Joni and Friends