Stepping Across the Threshold

 

 The bridge swayed slightly under my feet as I took my first tentative step onto the grating. Taught steel cords hummed as they held the mesh-work of rope and wood and metal suspended over the small river below. My heart thrilled a little as my stomach had that slight fluttering feeling of risk and adventure, like you get on a roller coaster the split second after they take off; knowing you're safe, but savoring the slight feeling of danger all the same. The bridge danced and swung from side to side until I reached the center. On my right was a sign declaring that side of the river was in one state, and on my left another sign announced that the river on its side belonged to a different state with the bridge squarely set on the border line between the two states. I stood there and took in the sunshine and blue skies, the bare, beautiful trees, the scent of pine, the murmur of the river. And then I had the realization that I had my foot in two places at once, literally.  I was standing with one foot in one state and one in another. 

As I contemplated it today I realized I also was standing with my foot in two places figuratively as well since it was New Year's Eve in the USA where I was, but was already New Year's Day in the place I've called my home for over ten years. In my opinion, New Year always has that sort of "standing-on-the-threshold" kind of feeling to it. Teetering on the precipice of what was and what will be. Although New Year is a start of a new calendar year, and most people see it as a time of starting fresh and releasing the things of the former year to embrace a new year, I was reminded today of what God's Word says about the daily thresholds in our lives. Scripture shows that although daily thresholds come more quietly, they come with just as much weight and significance. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us, "But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."  (ESV) God gives us a fresh start every day and our awareness of God's mercy, love, and faithfulness can give us daily hope, not just hope in a new year. 

 I tend to be a person who wants to make things practical, so I started to think about how I should live in light of both the new year and the newness we can walk in in Christ each day. Isaiah 42:9 (and surrounding verses) reminded me that the former things have already taken place, and God is declaring new things and asking me to be his ambassador of hope, of the kingdom of God, and to bring that hope, peace and reconciliation to others. I prayed and thought through scripture, asking God how he wanted to me to walk this out. Paul's words in Philippians finally hit the mark and reminded me of how to live out this command and calling day by day. "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV) I need to live every day pressing in and onward towards Jesus, knowing Him, sharing Him, showing Him and releasing all the things that are behind. 

 So dear friends, in this new year, press on towards the goal to win the prize of knowing Christ, walking with Him, and helping others to do the same. Listen to Him, obey what He says, and walk in the newness He gives you each day.