Be a Cut Above in 2021

Be a Cut Above in 2021

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you that you are a loving, gracious God. Thank you that you’ve offered us forgiveness and the gift of new life in you. Thank you that your love is perfect, it never fails, and that nothing can separate us from your love.

We pray that our lives would be filled and overflowing with the power of your love so we can make a difference in this world and bring honor to you. We ask for your help in reminding us that the most important things are not what we do outwardly, it’s not based on any talent or gift, but the most significant thing we can do in this life is simply to love you and to choose to love others.

Help us to love as you love. Fill us with your Spirit so that we can choose what is best. We are weak Lord, but we know also, that even when we are weak, you are strong within us. Thank you that it’s not all up to us. Thank you that you equip us to face each day with the power of your love, your forgiveness, and your grace. We love you Lord, and we need you today, and every day, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

1 Chronicles 4:9-10New International Version

9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

We are about to pass from 2020 into 2021, hopefully to never face another year like the one we just left. The year 2020 was the worst year this nation had faced since the years of the great depression. This nation was thriving, we had the best economy in the history of the world, then we were taken down a notch by a virus, one that I believe was germ warfare. If 2020 were a game, it would be likened unto whack-a-mole, where the mole leaps up and hits us in the gut that is a good depiction of this past year.

Thank goodness it’s 2021. The flipping of the calendar to a new year always feels a bit like a rebirth, but this time especially. It’s a symbol of the instantaneous decision you can make to pursue a new goal. It represents a potential pivot point in your journey and the chance to reshape your destiny. With all that has happened to disrupt our lives over the last year, I can’t help but imagine that, for at least someone, 2020 has been the most difficult year of your life. Perhaps a loved one got sick. Maybe you lost a job. You might have lost faith in your neighbors for one reason or another.

To varying degrees, 2020 was hard on us all. And yet there’s this: No matter what you’ve been through in the past 12 months, you can make next year your best year. Your attitude, as always, will be reflected in your outcome. Just as one could have predicted what 2020 would bring ,the events of 2021 are unknowable. We don’t have control over many of them. And yet each of us still has power. Each of us still has freedom. Each of us can choose how we will react to the setbacks and take advantage of the opportunities.

There is nothing in the world more valuable than a wide-open future. And look now. Here it is.

Let this be a lesson to us all at the end of a year when so many of us have been putting on masks-brave faces for our coworkers, our kids, our partners and friends-and hiding how we really feel. Let’s take off those masks in 2021.

Hiding isn’t healthy. It hurts both the one who is doing the hiding and whatever (or whoever) he or she is hiding from. I’m learning to name my emotions: fear, anger, shame, joy, excitement. I’m also learning to be open and to be myself. I’ve heard it said that when you hide one emotion, you hide them all. You cannot choose which emotions you cut yourself off from. If you try to cut off fear, you’ll cut off joy as well.

In conclusion,

We want you to start this New Year off with three powerful truths to remember before the ball drops tonight...

1. Remember that you're strong. You've overcome the obstacles of 2020 and you've kept pushing even when it felt impossible.

2. Remember that you're important. You matter. You're valuable. This world needs YOU. You have something to share and give and be. And you have people in your life who love and value you.

3. Remember that you're growing. You've come a long way in life and you're continuing to learn and grow. As long as you keep pushing towards your goals, your future successes - you ARE capable of anything.

We hope this New Year brings you optimism and continued growth, belief in yourself and abilities, and the strength and determination to achieve your goals. 

Here's to remembering your worth in 2021 🥂��, 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

Closing Prayer

As the dawn breaks on a new year, let us give thanks for all we hold dear: our health, our family and our friends.

Let us release our grudges, our anger and our pains, for these are nothing but binding chains. Let us live each day in the most loving ways, the God-conscious way. Let us serve all who are in need, regardless of race, color or creed.

Let us keep God of our own understanding in our hearts and to chant God's name each day. Let us lead the world from darkness to light, from falsehood to truth and from wrong to right.

Let us remember that we are all one, embracing all, discriminating against none.

May your year be filled with peace, prosperity and love. May God's blessings shower upon you and bestow upon each of you a bright, healthy and peaceful new year. - Rev. Marcy Sheremetta