Alive in 25

Every year, I seem to forget that the days get shorter towards Christmas, and longer afterwards. It’s not as dramatic as it was in Alaska, where we could lose 5-10 minutes each day, but it still catches me off guard when I leave for home one day in the light and a few days later in the dark. It also catches me off guard when the sun doesn’t set so early sometime in January or February. Even though we live in climate-controlled buildings, and we have electric lights to keep it bright as long as we want, the world outside our windows still affects us.

At the same time, the larger world affects us. Though we live far away from Wisconsin, a school shooting still saddens us, and though we live far away from Israel and Ukraine, the ongoing wars give us pause and concern us for the loss of so many lives. Though we don’t know them, we still feel the effect. We live in an interconnected world. What happens elsewhere affects us, and what happens here affects others. We cannot control our neighbors, much less our own families, but we feel it all the same.

So, how do we make a difference without becoming overwhelmed? I find a passage in Galatians (chapter 6, verses 2-5) answers the question in an interesting way: “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads.” If I can rephrase that passage, I would say, “Do what you are here on earth to do, and don’t waste time judging what others do – instead, help other people if they will allow you to help them.”

As 2025 rolls in, I’m going to keep with this theme of coming alive. The first step begins today: What are the responsibilities God has given you? If you aren’t sure what they are, give it some thought and prayer until God makes it clearer. Do you need help? Ask for help! Are you concerned about others? Pray for them, and if they will allow you, help them. At the end of the day, we aren’t going to change the world – only God can do that. But we can make a way for God to change the world. Keep that hope alive, and remember the promise that “God is working in all things for the good of those who love him, who are called according to His purposes.” (Romans 8:28)

We are interconnected, and that makes it hard to make a difference, but our connections make it possible for our Lord to make all the difference!

It's my honor to serve alongside you!