The Challenges of a New Year

 A New Year to me is like sitting on Tiona beach and looking east.

An entire ocean of possibilities, including sunny days and a few storms with howling winds and giant waves, stretch out across the seemingly endless sea.  If we let ourselves, we could become so afraid of the potential dangers, so safety conscious, we would miss the adventure.

One option for us in 2025, is to become a “beach-recluse”.  Someone who looks toward the horizon and entertains a few thoughts that start with – “Someday…” or “Well maybe…”.  Or thinks, “in a year or two I will…”, but then leans back and continues to look at the horizon.

Between now and 31st December 2025 are twelve exciting unlived months of opportunities.  Challenges brought on by changes await us, in our personal, community and church lives.  These challenges may remove us from our comfort zones and arouse us to respond.  We can respond positively or negatively, with hope and optimism or with resentment and pessimism.

If you’re not careful, you’ll be so preoccupied with complaining, you’ll miss out on the opportunities to grow a little, to contribute, to make some new discoveries.

So, what I am saying is, there is another option – don’t quit, don’t give up.  Respond to the challenges before you. Resolve to stick at whatever challenges you decide to commit to, no matter how tough, or painful, or difficult the going may be until it is done.  By sticking to the task, you will eventually find the best answers to overcome future challenges and opportunities.

I am reminded of the story of Ignace Paderewski, the famous Polish pianist and statesman, who once scheduled to perform at a great concert hall in the USA.  It was a black-tie affair – a high society extravaganza.

Present in the audience that evening was a woman who had brought her nine-year-old son, hoping that he would be encouraged to practise the piano if he could just hear the great Paderewski at the keyboard.  Weary of waiting for the concert to begin – and being there against his wishes anyway – the lad squirmed restlessly in his seat.

Then, as his mother turned to talk with friends, the boy slipped out of his seat and walked down the aisle, strangely drawn by the ebony concert grand piano sitting majestic and alone at the centre on the huge stage.  He sat down on the leather stool, placed his small hands on the black and white keys, and began to play “Chop Sticks”.

Suddenly, the crowd hushed, and hundreds of frowning faces turned in the boy’s direction.  Irritated and embarrassed, some began to shout: “Hey, get that boy away from there!!”  “Where’s his mother?”  “Somebody should stop him!”

Backstage, Paderewski heard the uproar and the sound of the simple tune.  When he saw what was happening, he hurried onto the stage.  Without a word to the audience, he walked up behind the lad, reached his arms around either side of him and began to improvise a counter melody.  As the two made music together, the master pianist kept whispering in the boy’s ear, “Keep going.  Don’t quit, son.  Keep on playing…don’t stop…don’t quit.”

So, it is with us.  We hammer away at life, and sometimes it seems about as significant as “Chop Sticks”.  Then, just at the time we are ready to give up, along comes the Master, who leans over and whispers: “Don’t quit.  Keep going.”  It is here that He provides His finishing touch of grace, love, and joy at just the right moment.

So then…let’s get up off that sand and take on whatever these new weeks and months will bring.  Let’s make 2025 a challenging and successful year for serving the Christ.

Bill Gillard