Looking forward in Faith, Hope and Love

I. Introduction

In this season of advent as the new Liturgical year starts and the calendar year ends, we are given the opportunity to reflect and look at ourselves. In this season, we ask a lot of questions like: What gifts would I buy? New clothes to wear? Parties to attend?, etc. However, one question that we should ask is “Are we a BETTER US at the end of this year?"

As they say, in looking back, we learn and in doing so, will enable us to move forward.

II. Retreat and Recollect

There are points in our lives, we catch ourselves regretting the things that we have done in the past. We regret the missed opportunities. We regret the words that we have said; or words that we could have held back. We regret the things we did or things that we shouldn’t have done. We regret not spending our time more wisely, that could have resulted for us accomplishing more. Everyone, at one way or another, have committed a mistake or a decision that they would like to correct or undo.

Before we welcome the new year, and close this chapter in our lives, let us first look back on the year that was. Let us take time to have a retreat from all the things that is happening our lives and reflect on it.

To be able to have a retreat means to is withdraw from all the things that is going in our mind and our lives and to go to a quiet place to pray, study, to reflect or to meditate. The purpose to have a retreat is to be able to improve our relationship with God, to take the time to listen and hear God's voice in our heart. As we retreat, we also take this time to recollect – to pay attention to the presence of God in our soul. We recollect for us to recall and realize how He is working in each and every aspect of our lives.

This month as we reflect on the yesterday, tomorrow and today of our lives, we couple it with the three (3) theological virtues that is faith, hope and love.

A. The Past: Looking Back at God’s Faith

The LORD’s acts of mercy are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent; They are renewed each morning—great is your faithfulness! (Lamentations 3:22-23)

When we talk about the past we look at God’s faithfulness. In community, we usually talk about the need to be faithful to God. But in reality, before our faithfulness in Him, He already showed our faithfulness in us. As we look at our past, we see how God has never turned His back on us.

1. We look back at missed opportunities, we also look back at undeserved blessings

In our lives, we have so many regrets and “what ifs”. It may it be in our relationships, work (the job that we did not get) and other dealings. We regret the things we did that we wish we hadn't. The things that we wish we had done but didn't. And the time times that we have wasted and missed opportunities.

But as we look at our missed opportunities, we also look to undeserved blessings that the Lord has given us. We did not expect these blessings but the Lord gives them nonetheless. These blessings make the Job’s statement, “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD! (Job 1:21)”

2. As we look back to our failures, we also look back at our learnings

As much as we would like to not ever to have any mistakes in our lives, it is not possible for we are humans. We are not perfect. We are bound to make mistakes because of our human nature.

But this should not let us fall into despair and hopelessness, for in every mistake, is also an opportunity to learn from it. Every situation and circumstances that come in our lives are opportunities for us to grow and mature. Learning is important as it gives us guide on how to do it next time.

3. As we look back at broken relationships, we also look back to stronger ones

Was there a time this year that you experienced conflict in your relationships? Was there a time you were hurt? Was there a time you heart someone? Was there a time your expectations were not met? Have you experienced brokenness towards your dealings with others?

Though we experienced difficulties in relationships, we also look forward in stronger ones. When we overcome our differences because of humility and understanding, we go back into the relationship that is stronger than before. Relationships that are tested are like gold, they are precious and strong.

4. As we look back to what we have left behind, we also look back to what we have gained

There are situations this year that God asked us to leave something behind so that we may be able to follow Him closer. It may be things or even people in our lives. The process is painful but if it is God’s command, we can be sure that what He wants is only the best for us.

When we left these things and people to follow Jesus, we gained so much more. Maybe we have left people who caused us pain or bring bad influence in our lives but in return, God gives us peace and contentment. For everything that we have left for Jesus, God replaced it with so much more.

God is not only a God of second chances but a God of God of another chance. God would want us to move forward. God does not brood on past mistakes. He always gives us moments and opportunities to be able to pick up the broken pieces of our lives to make us whole again. God would want us to offer to him all these damaged pieces in our lives for Him to be able to make a new masterpiece out of our brokenness.

B. The Future: Looking Forward at God’s Hope

The future always causes anxiety to a lot of people. The simple reason behind this is because it is unknown. We have no hold over it. We cannot control it. But for Christians, when we talk of the future, we look at it with hope.

Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

1. We look forward to God’s providence

Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil. (Matthew 6:34)

We can trust that God will provide us what we need when we need it. God, who is powerful to create everything has also the power to give us the desires of our hearts. He is a Father who lavishly loves His children.

2. We look forward in God’s protection

God will rescue you from the fowler's snare, from the destroying plague, will shelter you with pinions, spread wings that you may take refuge; God's faithfulness is a protecting shield. (Psalm 91:3-4)

God has protected us and will continue to protect us. The world may harm us and cause us evil but God will shelter us with His wings. He will fight for us against our enemies. Our true and ultimate enemy is sin. Because of what God has done by sending His Son, our enemy is defeated forever. Because of His death, Jesus covers us with His most precious blood.

3. We look forward in God’s peace

May the LORD give might to his people; may the LORD bless his people with peace! (Psalm 29:11)

Peace in the popular context is the absence of war. It is having no conflict with anyone in the world. However, that is next to impossible to achieve. In the Jewish origin of the word, peace is Shalom. It means having good harmony with God and everybody. For a Jew, peace is being right with God. When we live righteous lives based on God’s command, we can sleep peacefully at night.

C. Looking Today at God’s Love

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins that he might rescue us from the present evil age in accord with the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Galatians 1:3-4)

Today or the present is important to God because in God, there is no yesterday and tomorrow since God is outside of time. In God, it is always present. Always now. In God, we are presently and constantly loved.

In this season of Advent, let us feel and be immersed in the love of God as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus. We can clean our hearts, the present day manger of Jesus through:

1. Look today in gratitude

Remember that we are always blessed. When we take on that attitude of gratitude, we allow more of God’s blessing to come to us. More than that, with this mindset of gratitude, we also become a blessing to others. Being alive is a blessing. Being in community is a blessing. Having friends and your family is a blessing. Everyday is an opportunity to thank God for His graciousness to us.

2. Look today in giving

To whom you can be generous today? To whom can you give your time today? To who do you need to listen to today? There will always be a soul that needs to hear an affirming word, and encouragement or a reminder from you. Be sensitive to your Jesus encounter today.

3. Look today in goodness

Each and every day is a grace filled moment that we should cherish like a special gift. Today is the right time to change to be better: to right the wrong things you have done, to fix the things that can be mended. As long as God gives you today, there is an opportunity to be better. Who do you need to forgive today? Who do you need to ask for forgiveness today? What relationships do you need to mend today? Today is the right time to do these things.

III. Conclusion

As we end this year, may we realize that all the things that is happening in our lives, may it be in our past, our present or our future are God’s numerous opportunities for us to better ourselves – to be a man and woman after God’s own heart.

As God leads the way to open a new year in our lives, may we always keep our faith strong in Him to drive out fear in our hearts so that we may we face our past without regrets, handle our present with confidence, and prepare for the future without fear.

And in our journey to be better, may our prayer be that if it is His will, May God grant our heart's desire and crown all our plans with success! (Psalm 20:5)