Happy New Year! Wow! 2021 is here and – if you are reading this – you made it. I thank God for your life and for everything that you are, a precious soul, wonderfully made in the image of God.

This year, I wish you love, peace, health, and the manifestation of all the desires of your heart.

I want to share my love for God and my testimony with the hope that someone will be encouraged, inspired, and comforted as we enter a new year. 2020 was different and many felt hopeless and are anxious about the future.

First Things First: God loves you

First, whether you believe in God or not, He is the Creator of the universe and of everything else, including you and me. You see, God has a purpose for your life.

God has a purpose for your life.

He did not put you on earth just so that you can use up the oxygen and other vital resources and end up in the grave. Certainly not! He created you to accomplish something that only you can do. He has plans for you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

Emptiness and lack of purpose

For the most part of my young adult years, I felt empty, with no direction, and no certainty about anything. Fear was leading me, not love or hope.

I felt empty; I had no direction and I was living in fear.

As a young professional, I was on autopilot, working twelve-hour shifts as a Physiotherapist six days a week, and coming home exhausted and drained. I did not even have the energy to go to church on Sundays. All I wanted was to sleep and to recover from the hard work week. I did not socialize much: the conversations I had with my patients were enough for me. Since I am an introvert, I needed a full day with no interactions to recharge.

In addition to feeling empty, I did not know what I wanted in life: I had no purpose besides working and coming home, feeding myself, sleeping, and hiding from the world.  I had reached one of my goals: I graduated from university and I had a good job. Beyond that, I had made no plans. As for getting married, things did not look good on that side and I decided not to dream anymore so that I would not be disappointed. I lived for the day. Nothing more.

Constant fear

As you can imagine, I also lived with the fear that problems, issues, challenges, etc., would always come and find me, and they did. I believed that once I solved a problem, the next one would show up; and it did. I did not want to make plans because I was scared that I might not be able to realize them. It felt safe to hide away from the world and not expose myself to the wickedness of others. I wanted to disappear. Life had no meaning and I did not have any hope about the future. I felt alone and abandoned. Worse, fear was leading me to the Land of Despair.

The God who created the universe had a plan to get me out of my misery, but, since I did not know Him, I was living away from Him and with no joy, no purpose, and no hope. I was wasting my life, making one mistake after the other, and suffering the consequences of my poor choices.

I was wasting my life, making one mistake after the other, and suffering the consequences of my poor choices. 

The encounter that changed my life

He made a way

And, because He is so loving, He found a way, and I am forever grateful for His love. In 1989, as I was going through another phase of sadness and doubt, my roommate invited me to her church. I was afraid that she might kick me out if I did not attend, so I followed her. Little did I know then that this decision would change my life for the better.

The preacher spoke about how every human being was born in sin and was practicing sin. He quoted Romans 3:23 (All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God). He said that for us to go to heaven and to have eternal life, we needed God’s forgiveness. Jesus-Christ had come to give us this forgiveness through His death on the cross, on our behalf (For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life says John 3:16.).

The Gateway to  Heaven

The preacher also explained how Jesus’ death and resurrection opened the gateway to heaven for us. The preacher explained that we had to take a step in faith and ask Jesus to come live in our heart. We heard his encouraging words about turning away from sin, which he called repentance. Finally, the pastor promised that our life would change since Jesus had come to bring change to the world (John 10:10).

At the end of his sermon, the preacher invited us to receive the abundant life that Jesus was offering us. I did not hesitate a moment. I almost ran toward the front of the church where the pastor prayed for me.

On that day, I came in contact with God and I changed. Everything changed. 

God instantly delivered me from 10 years of addiction to cigarette. I had bought 2 packs for the week, and although the pastor never mentioned smoking, I was convinced that I no longer needed to fill with lungs and poison my blood with nicotine. When I left the church building, I threw my cigarettes and lighter into the garbage. I have never smoked after that miraculous Sunday.

God’s everlasting presence, guidance, and security

Getting to know God

From that moment on, I started learning about the Word of God and His wonderful salvation plan. He filled the emptiness that characterized my existence with His love. He gave me a purpose, and peace. I no longer live with fear.

As I learned to know Him better, He revealed His faithful and everlasting presence to my spirit and my heart. Thankfully, I never feel alone, empty, or useless. How do I know that God is near? First, He says so in the Bible. May I invite you to take a look at the two following verses?

• Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.
• Jesus also promised in Matthew 28:20 And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Second, I feel His comforting presence, day and night. It’s amazing how life seems safer. There is nothing for me to worry about because He is in control. That makes me safe.

Being free from fear, at last

I am no longer lost. To the contrary, I have purpose and guidance from the Holy Spirit at every moment of each day. Due to His wisdom, I understood my life’s mission. With this knowledge, I am able to enjoy the work I do and the volunteer activities I am engaged in. You may not know this, but I volunteer my time to help others French-speaking believers learn about God at the Christian Leaders Institute. Isn’it a blessing to be able to use my talents and competencies to add value to many lives?

As for fear, I am definitely free from it. It has no place in the new life that God has given me through Jesus. Not only do I not fear anything, but also, I know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, and who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). I live with confidence in God’s grace and mercy for me. I know that I am safe in the hands of the Lord. If God is for me, who will be against me (Romans 8:31)?

Finding peace, comfort, and hope

Friends, if you wonder how to have peace, or how to enjoy God’s unconditional love for you, or how to define your purpose, simply ask. Ask Him and He will put you in the right direction. If you want eternal life, remember that Jesus is the way. Turn to him, repent from living outside of His will, and give in to God. Surrender to God and be at peace with Him (Job 22:21).

Once more, I wish you a Happy New Year 2021! I trust that God’s presence will fulfil you if you ask. His hand will surely lead you as you live a purposeful life. And His love will carry you and keep you safe.