Making a Pledge for the New Year
Majors Kendall & Katrina Mathews
January 1, 2023
Happy New Year Kroc Family!The New Year of 2023 is here and if you do like I do and make resolutions, you know those things that need changing in your life. It may be working out more in the gym, or not eating as much around the dinner table, or even praying more to God who loves us dearly. Whatever the case, we all need to take a good look at what we are doing and to make any necessary changes in our spiritual walk with Jesus. Let’s be honest with ourselves, we do have stuff that needs to be changed or removed from our life. You see, it’s like cleaning the internal blackboard of our spiritual heart, wiping away all the junk and clutter that causes us to sin and fall short of God’s glory. God gives us a clean slate each year, so He can use us to proclaim the good news for all to see and witness. I can hear God saying: Stick with me friends; keep track of those you see running this same course of life, headed for the goal of salvation in 2023. There are those out there taking the wrong path, being misled and trying to get you to join them — don’t. We can all win in 2023 with Christ as our spiritual leader, but we must persevere together, working through the ups of life and the downs of circumstances beyond our control. Kroc Team, can you pledge to do that this year?
I am thankful for new beginnings, leaving those old ways and habits behind me, and looking ahead for a fresh new start in 2023 in our relationship with Jesus. Paul reminds us to press on toward the goal. This goal is to recognize our shortcoming, then to leave spiritually unhealthy things behind us. Note the following Bible verse: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” Philippians 4:12-14 (NIV). So, this year Team, pledge to lead with high energy and boundless enthusiasm for Christ.The people in this community who we serve, are in need of knowing how God can strengthen them during their times of weakness and despair. I am called by God to lead not with despondency and desolation, but with spiritual energy that is expressed by living out the joy of Jesus. We can go to God’s “filling station” where our spiritual tanks can be replenished. The God we serve promises to meet our every need as we reach out to his people to offer them hope and salvation.
This year lead with your heart and serve with your hands through the endless power of our Lord and Savior. This year pledge to give God’s people a sense of purpose and direction through serving Christ. We have people who are wandering around with no real direction or a sense of purpose. We are created in Jesus’s image to do good work that he wants us to do. What other purpose do we need? All God asks of us is to accept his plan and the direction that he has promised. I have never been escorted down a gloomy road by Christ, and I do believe that where he leads me, I must follow and I’ll go with him all the way. I do not always understand his purpose for my life, but one thing is for sure: I would not change my desire to follow Christ no matter what path he wants me to take. This year as you seek God’s direction, please know that a purpose-driven life in Christ will be the key to serving people throughout your community.This year Team, pledge to develop a collective vision for the future that includes everyone. Without a clear vision for the things of God, we may find ourselves losing hope for a better tomorrow. It’s time we have a new vision, seeing as Christ saw more than 2,000 years ago, and the bountiful fruit of His Spirit will come into clear focus. “And afterward, He promised, I pour out my spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy; your old men will dream dreams; your young men will see visions.” Joel 2:28. If I don’t have a clear vision of the needs of the people in this community or what they can become, I would be doing them and myself a disservice. We should want them to know that Christ sees them as wonderful creations — made in his image and likeness. With God’s assistance, we can help them visualize and believe this, too. This year Kroc Team remember, without a vision, people perish. We have a vision and God has given us ALL the necessary tools and resources to see our vision come into fruition!