2012 Business as usual? Epiphany
I don't know how you feel about entering into a New Year, but I am glad the feast of the Epiphany is here, celebrated on the 6th January. The word Epiphany, means 'revelation' and if ever we needed a revelation then I would say that this year is probably it. There is much we are told to be anxious for this coming year and if we had a complete media silence, we would still feel the vibes from the various people we know or their demeanour and body-language.
The way we have done 'business' in our financial world, might never be the same again and the 'grown-up things' like pensions, mortgages, job-security have now permeated an anxious adult world that begins to ask us the fundamental question about 'where is our treasure?'.
For young people, the issue of having a debt free life seems a pipe-dream unless you are incredibly financially blessed. We are now challenged with choices in how we spend or conduct our leisure with choices being restricted by finance.
The question that I ask myself as a Christian is - can it really be 'business as usual in 2012?' How might God who came to be with us during Christmastide wish to begin to 'incline our hearts' to him. Where is He who is called Immanuel?
The exciting part is that if we are 'under Good-News Management' we will be looking to counter the prevailing culture. It may be that we ask ourselves as part of our Epiphany prayer - 'Reveal yourself and your plans to us'.
Putting our plans before God is no mean feat and requires us to try to kill the anxiety within and around us. Looking at the bigger picture of God being in control might give us some perspectives to the tasks ahead. Whether you are resolved to do something new or not, I again am drawn by the words of Christ with this simple principle from the Gospel of St Matthew chapter 6 verse 33. The NRSV version puts it like this:
'But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well'
Keep striving in 2012 so we might be surprised by God.
Dean
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Short links
http://www.albandys.org.uk/go/epiphany_2012
http://www.albandys.org.uk/go/948