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Dearly Beloved,

 

Looking back. Looking forward.

Between Christmas and New Years, I enjoy watching shows on the year in review. It’s fun to see the best sports stories. Unfortunately, as a Canucks, Seahawks, and Blue Jays fan, 2024 was not the greatest. No championships for me to view.

Then there are the highlights in the realms of news, weather, and entertainment. I am reminded of wars in our world, natural disasters, political turmoil, and that pop stars make way too much money.

While there will be no video of my personal highlights, I look back and reflect on events in my life. In 2024 my Mom went to be with Jesus, I joined the pastoral staff at CPC, and I achieved some goals for the year like reading 24 books and averaging over 12,000 steps per day. There are numerous other personal and family highlights that are significant to me but may be boring to you.

I also like to review what God has done in the church family. In 2024 many people took next steps in their journey with Jesus and in CPC. We had numerous participants in our newcomers events, some individuals chose to put their faith in Jesus, several were baptized in water, people volunteered to serve, and many grew spiritually. The church continued to grow. The budget, particularly missions, was exceeded. We witnessed exceptional growth in youth ministry. Through our building and property team, significant building renovations were done, the field was developed, and the five trees were placed along with lights. The church experienced significant transitions. We said farewell to Pastor Trevor and Kim, and we welcomed Pastors Garrett and Abi. We rejoiced over babies who were born, and we mourned the losses of those who passed on from this life. The list could go on.

Certain words come to mind as I reflect on the year in review. In sports my words are “maybe next year,” as I watch the news I think “Lord help us,” and as I consider my life and the church the words are, “God is faithful.” God has done amazing things at CPC and in the Comox Valley. God has been good to us. Some things have been hard, but even in hardship we have seen God’s faithfulness.

When we see how God has been faithful in the past, we may be confident He will be faithful in the future. As I write the last Dearly Beloved of 2024, I encourage you to review highlights of your year, and to take the opportunity to consider plans and prayers for 2025. What do you want God to do in you in the coming year? And more importantly, what does God want you to do in the coming year?

It may be helpful to grab a copy of the CPC Next Steps booklet (also on the website) and commit to one or two steps that would help you and the church grow. Decide on a plan for personal times with God. Consider how you may nurture one or two relationships. Ask God how you may be on mission with Him.

I enjoy being active so I make plans for exercise and health, yet I am mindful of 1 Timothy 4:8, “physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” As I consider prayers and plans for 2025 my focus is keeping in step with Jesus and how I may best serve Him.

We have just come through Christmas. We have worshipped Jesus who came into our world to be our Saviour. It brings us to the end of our calendar year, but I was reminded through my Advent devotions on Christmas Eve that, “The wonder of Christmas does not end on this day—it is only the beginning!” Because Jesus came we look forward to what God has in store for us in 2025. God is faithful, so pray and plan for your next steps with Him.