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Goodbye 2012 Hello 2013 (Words of Affirmation)


To:  SEAC brothers and sisters
From: Mydur Xiong

As I reflect on this past year, I am moved at how faithful and constant the character of God is in the midst of such shifting circumstances.

Many times in my past ministry experience, I kept wondering whether or not I was where I needed to be. I kept running into disappointments, failures, and unmet expectations. In fact, I underwent depression more than I had ever imagined. Yet, through that depression, He drew me back to Himself and helped me to realize that no matter how difficult our circumstances may be, it played a small yet crucial role in His overall plan for me. If I hadn’t gone to Thailand, I would not have received the privilege of traveling throughout the U.S. and visiting my sister churches. I would not have had to privilege of meeting people who had the same burden as I did to see the minority church grow to embrace the beauty of the Gospel and to see it transform lives. I would have been unable to see the great need we have in truly renovating our practices to be more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, and disciplined (Gal. 5:22). It was truly God’s grace alone that opened up my eyes to see the necessity for reformation.

In every season of our lives, God has a purpose for us. He doesn’t play games nor does He want us to be confused about His plans for us. Instead, He always calls us back to trusting in Him, committing our ways to Him, and putting our faith into action. Then and only then can we truly receive the desires of our hearts (Ps. 37:4-5) and move into the full purpose He has for us (John 10:10).

Perhaps you are going through something difficult right now. That’s ok. He wants to be your Comforter (John 14:18). Or maybe you had just gone through one of the most devastating experiences in your life this year. It will be alright because He desires to be your Healer (Psalm 103:3). Or possibly, you are attempting to change a lot of practices through your ministry. Don’t worry. He is our Advocate (1 John 2:1). He will go before you and prepare the way.

Just as God was with us this past year, He will be “with us” (“Emmanuel”) for this new and coming year. We can be assured that His presence will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5; Deuteronomy 31:6). His mercies and grace are renewed for us each and every day so that by the end of it all, we can reflect on His absolute goodness:

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23).

My prayer for all of us is to increasingly uphold and honor God in the attitude of our hearts and to live out this radical, righteous faith we have in Christ. To Him alone be the power, honor, and glory forever. Amen.
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