John 12:24 (NLT) I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.

From a biblical perspective, endings always lead to beginnings. If you go back to the creation of the world, you see this biblical perspective at work. According to Genesis 1:5, we don't read that there was morning and there was evening, the first day. Instead, we read that there was evening and there was morning, the first day. The end of the first day was followed by the beginning of a brand new one. In the verse above, Jesus not only was describing Himself to the Pharisees as a kernel of wheat, but also giving us God's perspective of ending and beginnings. It was not until Jesus' earthly life would end that His resurrected life would begin, granting us the same beginning through resurrection from the end of our earthly lives.

Because of this, we can look forward to the end of the year of our Lord, 2022. No matter what has happened this year, whether good, bad or ugly, we have a brand-new year to look forward to. As followers of Christ, we can look forward to the new even though we don't know what the new will bring. Whether trouble comes our way or problems confront us, we can move forward confidently because Jesus will be with us every step of the way. If good things happen, then we give God praise. If bad things happen, then we give God praise and ask for His help. Either way, we can look forward to a new beginning. The best beginning that we've had up to this point in our lives also followed an ending. It was the end of our old lives that were marred by our sinful nature that was followed by the new life that we have in Christ Jesus. And it is that new life that came forth because the old life ended that gives us boldness and confidence for this new year that is ahead of us.

Thank God that He brings new beginnings from endings. Even greater than all the endings and the beginnings that we have had so far will be the end of our lives here on earth, which will mark the beginning of life forevermore in the very presence of Jesus. That's the beginning that will end all endings. It's the beginning that will have no end in sight as we enjoy the reward of our faith in Jesus while we were here on earth. With that in mind, let's look forward to the new year without fear, but instead with much joy and anticipation as our hope of glory remains "Christ in us!"

A happy and blessed New Year to all!

Pastor Joey Vazquez