365

"But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven. It is a land the LORD your God cares for; the eyes of the LORD your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end." -Deuteronomy 11:11-12

It is a new year. And if you are anything like me, you find yourself at a crossroads--looking back at all that took place over the last 365 days, and looking forward with great anticipation to what the next 365 will hold. For me, the next 365 days mark the beginning of new journey. I have been appointed as a "Missionary Disciple" with World Gospel Mission. Destination: Uganda, East Africa. Over the course of the next 365 days (perhaps more), I will travel to various parts of the country speaking at churches, talking with Sunday School classes, teaching Children's Church, and meeting with friends in coffee shops to share God's heart for the people of Uganda. Though the specifics of the ministry I will be a part of while there are unknown, my heart beats for the orphans and for those affected by AIDS.

As I look to the journey I begin this year, I recognize the "land" I will travel on is unfamiliar territory to me. There are sure to be difficult days ahead, days where there are far more questions than answers. But there is great peace in knowing the "land" I possess is a land God Himself cares for. How thankful I am that the God we serve is not a God who, like our New Year's resolutions, fizzle out around January 9th!! God's eyes are on the land we enter "from the beginning of the year to its end." He doesn't promise it will be smooth and downhill the whole way. There are mountains AND valleys. There may be difficult times to come. But I know this, God Himself is caring for the land I am entering. And He is caring for yours too. What is your "land?" New job, new ministry opportunities, new priorities in relationships? Perhaps nothing is necessarily "new." I assure you, though, there is still territory for you. It is my prayer that as I venture out into the unfamiliar territory before me that I would be able to truly believe that my land is watched and cared for by the LORD. In good times and in difficult times. In triumph and in pain. Regardless of the situation I am in, may I know that His eyes are set on the land I am possessing...from the beginning of the year to its end.