Happy New Year!

The New Year is upon us! If you’re like me, you’ve been thinking and dreaming about what God has for you and your ministry in 2021. 

Earlier this week, I took a couple of days to hike and pray in the mountains. It was cold and snowy, but I had a great time fellowshipping with the Father and asking for his direction in the coming year. I can’t say that I came away with any lightning-bolt revelations. God didn’t write any messages in the sky… but there were some clear promptings from the Holy Spirit. 

Throughout my time away, I found myself drawn over and over again to the psalmist’s vision of the righteous man, as recorded in Psalm 1:3.

“He will be standing firm like a flourishing tree,

planted by God’s design,

deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss,

bearing fruit in every season of his life.

He is never dry, never fainting,

ever blessed, ever prosperous.” (TPT)

I want to be like that flourishing tree in 2021! And… I want the church that I pastor to be like that flourishing tree as well! 

2020 was a rough year for all of us as leaders. As a Senior Pastor, I struggled with all the impediments to ministry… at least ministry as I’d previously known it.  Lockdowns, face masks, attendance reservations, social distancing… ugh! Then there were the heated political debates that invaded our churches like an evil contagion. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Body of Christ as divided as it was in 2020! 

Yet, in spite of all the challenges, God was faithful. We learned to do ministry differently… and there was much fruit for the Kingdom. At the very least, we learned a lot about ourselves.

Here we are on the threshold of a new year. I’m praying that 2021 will be a year of birthing, thriving, and abundant fruit-bearing.  I’m praying that my life will be like that flourishing tree… and that the church and ministry that I serve will thrive like never before and bear much fruit for the Kingdom. I’m praying that same prayer for you!