Parry Stelter and his wife spending a fun family moment with their daughters.
As we start this New Year, let's focus on the beginning. You might say, "The beginning of what?" Well, the beginning of creation. You might think, "Why should we do that?" Well, the reason why we can choose to do that is because that is where we find hope for the future. That's where we find the Word of God. That's where we will find healing for our broken hearts.
John 1:1–5 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (ESV).
In this passage of Scripture, John says that Jesus was there at the creation of the world and everything was made through Him, and that Jesus was the Word of God, and Jesus was God. Jesus was the one who helped God the Father make this entire universe we all live in. It also says that Jesus was life itself and this life gave light to men. In other words, Jesus gave light and life to the inhabitants of this universe, which means you and me. This means men and women, babies, children, teenagers, adults, and seniors.
Every single person who knows what it's like to feel dead inside and to feel a darkness inside, now have life and light for their souls because of Jesus Christ. This passage goes on to say that this light shines in the darkness and that darkness will not overtake it. This means that if you believe in Jesus Christ and live for Him, you do not have to worry about sinking into darkness and despair where there is no hope.
In Jesus we have life, we have light, and we can overcome any darkness that has trampled over us and pushed us into the ground. As Aboriginal people, we have all gone through many ups and downs in life but because of Jesus, we can be lifted up and brought into this life and light. Jesus (the Word of God) was part of the creation process. Jesus is the Word of God, Jesus is Life, Jesus is the Light. We can move forward in this New Year with a happiness and joy that no one can take away. The darkness can't take it away, Satan can't take it away, your enemies can't take it away, society can't take it away, and unbelievers can't take this away.
You can enter this New Year with healing, because the darkness cannot overtake you. Don't let Satan get the upper hand on you in this New Year. Satan would love for you to believe that your ship has sunk, and there is no hope. Satan would love for you to believe that you've screwed up too many times. If you are in prison and have lost your family, Satan may be making you feel worse than you need to feel. Satan is always referred to as darkness and Jesus is always described as light. Which one do you want to put your trust in?
Have you ever awakened in the middle of the night and walked to the bathroom in the dark? I have. Many times I have stubbed my toe. Ouch! If I had turned on the light, that might not have happened. Many of you have stubbed your toe in this journey of life in the middle of the night, and you are feeling like you can't take it anymore. I'm here to encourage you to turn on the light and walk toward that light, because when you get there you will find life. In that light and life you will not be overtaken because in that life and light is the very force that created this universe. It is this very force that loved you enough to die for your sins.
In that life and light is the very Word of God. So when you feel down and full of darkness and despair, grab the Word of God (Jesus) and start to read. As you read, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into truth. If you do, you will be amazed at the results. Jesus will be waiting for you in the very pages of Scripture. Read the Word of God and discover Jesus. Read the Word of God and discover that this life and light will not and cannot be overtaken by the darkness. My friends, this gives me hope for the New Year.
Parry is the founder and president of Word of Hope Ministries Canada http://www.wordofhopeministriescanada.ca.
