Hi friend!

Poet Minnie Haskins penned what has become known as "The Gate of the Year." It reads in part:

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’ 

And he replied: ‘Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.’ 

So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.

The poem was read by King George VI while presenting his annual Christmas day radio message to the British Commonwealth in 1939. It bolstered a country that had been at war for only three months with Germany and was quite uncertain about its future. The poem was shared with the king by his 13-year-old daughter, Princess Elizabeth.

As we embark upon another new year, it's a good reminder that God "shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way." If the last three years have taught us anything, we have learned that there can be very dark, unknown avenues we are called to walk. How comforting to realize that God's omnipotent Hand will lead and guide us!

I want to be closer to Christ than ever before in 2023 and as I have been thinking about this for my own life, I'd like to suggest a few things we can do - some habits - to encourage us along the way. 

1. Strengthen your faith doctrinally. We live in a day and age where biblical doctrine is weak in our churches, You can combat that in your own life by reading God's Word systematically. I often use the Bible reading guide produced by Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1813-1843) for his congregation at St. Peter's Church in Dundee, Scotland. Stick with his guide and you will read the entire Bible through, and the Psalms twice.
2. Become more knowledgeable of the Word theologically. We have an abundance of options available to us online to grow in our faith. Avail yourself of something this year; don't let another year fly by without digging deeper into God's Word. I've been a part of starting something called Church Answers University. Check it out. Hit me up if you have any questions. It can help you in your walk with Jesus and how you serve Him. Our podcast, Kitchen Table Theology, is also a useful help in grasping solid biblical theology.
3. Grow in your love for Jesus exponentially. Listen. Share His love with others. Obey. Serve. Be grateful. This year at LowCountry Community Church we are challenging ourselves to adopt the number 23 to represent something we want to see increased in our faith journey. Maybe for you, it's to share the gospel with 23 people, to give to God's kingdom work 23 times, or to pray for 23 people throughout the year. If you ask Him, I'm sure God will provide you with your own "23."

May God bless you as you place your hand into His and "trod gladly into the night."