Once in a Lifetime

For this week’s devotion, I encourage you to CLICK HERE for a wonderful reflection from Dr. James Houston, the founding principal of the theological school I graduated from, Regent College in Vancouver. Today, Dr. Houston is 99 years old and living in an assisted living facility, but with the help of family and friends, he is still writing a blog online entitled “Letters from a Hospital Bed: Reflections From a 99 Year Old”. 
 
In this New Year’s themed blog, Dr. Houston explores the origins of New Year’s resolutions and how we can find something even better as we trust in Jesus. The following is an excerpt of Dr. Houston’s blog article:
 
"In earlier months this year now ending, I have been far more eager to die than I find myself now. It is not that I am no longer weary with the work of this life, but as long as the Lord gives me breath, I want to use it to be urgent for His glory. Isaiah reminds me to “seek the Lord while he may be found” and so as we enter a new year, I urge each of us not to make false promises to long dead gods, but to seek Him who knows us each so well and holds our identity safely in His hands.

Go well, dear friends, into this good new year, not because you have resolved much but because your Heavenly Father, through Christ, has redeemed much.”
 
I encourage you to CLICK HERE to read the whole article and be encouraged by a wise man who has long walked with God in faith and led many others to do the same.
 
Additionally, please see below for a link to YouTube video of a song by David Meece called “Once in a Lifetime” that can bring encouragement as you begin 2022 - the lyrics to the chorus remind us of this important truth:
 
No matter where we've been
No matter what we've done
Today can be our once in a lifetime
For yesterday is gone
Tomorrow may not come
This moment is our once in a lifetime

In spite of the tears the chill of a winter's light
The sorrow of the night
My cold lonely past is melting away from me
As by God's grace I see this moment is mine
My moment of truth forever
 
Happy New Year! Trust in Jesus in 2022!

In His Strength and Peace,
Pastor Peter