Enjoying the View

“In the beginning…” Genesis 1:1. (NIV)

Let’s start at the very beginning…a very nice place to start. (That reminds me of a song) In 1989, I started using the OneYear Bible to read the Bible every year. Each January 1, I must admit a certain amount of mixed emotions. On one hand there is the sense of accomplishment that comes from completing another year of “paying attention to Jesus” by reading His word. Some sort of celebration would seem to be in order. There should be some way to commemorate and acknowledge that something significant was completed. And yet, there lies before me another hill to climb, another year of reading, reflecting, and applying scripture to my life. The task appears daunting. In that sense, today is really no different than yesterday—I just hold the Bible a little different as I read. The bulk of the book has shifted back to the right as I open to the front of the book…again.

But on this first day of reading, with the hill in front of me again, I allow myself to pause and peer through the trees and try to catch a glimpse of how high my Lord has led me already. O the view is beautiful. The air is crisp and clean. The valley lies below…but I do not tarry to long here, for as I look back to the path, I get the sense that the view to come will be even more spectacle!

Yes, it is the beginning…again. Come climb with me to new heights with the LORD.

ONETHING: Get started again.

Plus ONE: The Habit of Faith. The next word in the English translation is “God”. It is the great assumption. It is the first act of faith. Acknowledging God—that He exists and that He creates and that He cares. Make sure you add “faith” to your journey this year. You do not go alone. Jesus is with you.