"Alive in Twenty-five"

The livestock’s fed and watered,

And the grass is growin’ strong,

And we are stayin’ healthy,

Choosing right things over wrong.

If our family stays connected,

And our friends the same way, too,

And we love our church on Sunday,

And to Christ’s body we are true,

If we hear the Lord’s assignment,

And exercise our gifts,

And we encourage everybody,

Endure when satan sifts,

And we follow God’s word faithfully,

And let the Spirit lead,

Trusting Christ our Savior,

With every single need,

And never let a single hurt,

Slow us down at all,

Forgive as we’re forgiven,

For healing on Him call.

Live freely and on purpose,

Praising as we go,

Ready for the Lord’s return,

Let everybody know,

Then our year will be better,

‘Cause it gains the Lord’s own smile,

And we will not grow weary,

‘Cause in just a little while,

All the time He’s promised,

Will run its course and end,

But for those who live for Him,

Our lives will just begin,

Forever in eternity,

We may remember twenty-five,

And praise the Lord for what He did,

While we were still alive.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NAS)

This ancient advice is powerful, don’t you think? Especially when we consider the new year and what it holds for us. Trusting in the Lord means we walk, as Paul said, by faith. We place every concern in the Lord’s hands and refuse to worry or be afraid. We take our peace from the One who promises it, and learn to live above our circumstances. Acknowledging Him in all our ways means that we live a life of surrender.to the Lordship of Jesus. He promises to direct our paths, and that’s just what we need, in 2025 and always.

Lord, direct our paths, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bill Anton, used by permission. Thanks, Bill, and God bless you.