The Rhythm of Life

The other day my wife was busy taking down all of our Christmas decorations. I was working on the first sermon of 2011 which is always about casting a vision for the year ahead. There is a definite rhythm of life and it is one of the great gifts from God. There is also something very deep about this rhythm. We had a wonderful Christmas season. My daughter and her husband were able to come up for nearly 2 weeks. We had 4, count 'em 4 generations under the same roof for some of that time. My mom and dad, myself and Karen, my daughter Rachel and her son Liam. It was a very sweet time. And as Karen takes down the decorations there is a certain sadness that sweeps over the house. The sweetness lingers but with it a certain longing. I sit with a yellow pad thinking about the year ahead for the year ahead stretches out like a snow covered field without a single mark as yet. It is a year pregnant with potential. Who knows what gifts or what challenges are ahead? And that is the rhythm. One door closes and another opens. If only the decorations came down the world would be too sad. If all was vision ahead then what sweetness would there be. Marv Weber, long time church member and friend, walked out into his garage on the last day of 2010. He had a heart attack and passed away on the floor of his garage. A door closed. Marv opened his eyes before the first day of 2011 in paradise. A sweetness lingers for he was loved by many here. But something new and fresh opened up for Marv and that field stretches out for all eternity. It is the rhythm of life. It is more than that. It is the rhythm of God Himself. And as I stand at the cusp of a new year it makes me profoundly thankful. Enjoy the beat of the year. God is the one who provides the rhythm you live by so be thankful.