We find ourselves starting a new year in a new place, with a new ministry and with new stress. The reality is that this new start is a process, not an event. Making connections, building relationships in the community and earning the trust of our church partners is challenging. And to be honest, some days we feel like we're not having much of an impact at all. Add political unrest, a sharp drop in our funding level and a lonely holiday season and you've got a recipe for profound discouragement―not exactly the best way to start a new year.
But God's Word does not allow us to wallow in self-pity or surrender to fear. And He's given us this verse to cling to this week: "And though you started with little, you will end with much." We may be starting the year with little resources, little direction and far too little faith. But God is still shaping us to be more like His Son each and every day. As long as that's true, how can we not "end with much"!?!?
We claim the Job 8:7 promise as our own for 2018. And we can't wait to see what God is going to do in our hearts and ministry this year!