A Year of Grace Begins

This Jubilee year for JY UK is upon us and as we begin our journey through this year of grace, we begin by looking back at the ways in which the Lord God has led us through the past years - and being grateful for his mercy. As the psalmist says, "His word is (and has always been) a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Ps 119: 105)

Reflect

Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son (Col 1:12-13)

Meditate

We do not see the pattern of God's will while we are in the process of living it. We see it only afterwards, when we look back and realize that what we thought were failures or delays were really the shaping of His design.

God takes our lives as they are, with all their confusion and brokenness, and quietly weaves them into His purpose. When we look back, we begin to understand that He has never ceased to guide us, even when we were unaware of His presence.

Gratitude grows when we recognize that God has been at work in every stage of our lives, not only in moments of clarity, but in darkness and uncertainty as well. To thank Him for the past is to acknowledge that His love has been faithful, even when our faith was weak.

(Adapted from The Reed of God, by Carryl Houselander)

Act

If you can, please keep a journal through this Jubilee year to keep track of the spiritual journey. And as you begin, look back at your own life and pen down some occasions from the past where you can now see the hand of God leading you and guiding you - and offer your gratitude to the living God.

Specifically as a token of our gratitude, remember the people who were pivotal in you experiencing the love of God within the JY movement in the past - it might be an elder, a friend, or a pastor. If it is possible, take the effort give them a call to thank them, and pray with them during this week.

Always be in a state of thankfulness this week.