The Path

JANUARY 1 Genesis 1-3

Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. (Genesis 2:3)

Have you ever completed a long and hard task? Do you remember the feeling you had when it was completed? Wasn’t that a glorious feeling?
Let’s try to imagine the thoughts that went through God’s mind when He had finished creating this wonderful world. God could very well have created everything in one second. With the power of His spoken word it could have all been brought into existence. But He chose to break it up into six days.
Someone once said, “how do you eat an elephant?” “One bite at a time.” God even taught us a great lesson in His creation. Instead of being discouraged at what lies ahead, tackle it one step at a time.

As we approach this coming new year. There may be enormous tasks ahead. Remember this lesson “one bite at a time.”
Jesus may have felt this same sense of “completeness” at the cross. In John 19:30 we read, “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”
Jesus had completed the task that God had sent Him to accomplish. To restore that relationship with the Father that was broken in the Garden of Eden. To make a way that sinful man can have a relationship with a holy God. To cover our sins in the shed blood of His Son.
Understand this was not Jesus’ first choice. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus had asked that this “cup” pass from Him. Is there any other way I can accomplish Your will without going through the pain of the cross? God’s answer was “no.”
How many tasks have we encountered and refused to do them because they were too hard? Maybe we couldn’t see how this could be done. If it’s God will He will accomplish it. I saw a plaque once that said, “If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.” Remember that as you accomplish great things for God this year.