As we embark on a new year, we are faced with what the past two years offered us. We had an unprecedented stint of being home bound and stifled. But today, let us hear the call to break the shackles of darkness and reach out to a broken, depressed, hurting world.

As we celebrate the Blessed Mother as Mother of God we see in her a determined spirit, always looking out for the other person. At Cana, her heart went out to the wedding family who were on the brink of being ashamed. When she heard of Elizabeth expecting, she left the safe confines of her home and travelled miles to be with Elizabeth. There she shared her joy, her portion of the Holy Spirit, faith and love.

Every moment of her life impacted others as the word says in Luke 2:19 – As for Mary, she treasured all these words, and pondered them in her heart. As for me, do I follow her example? Do I yearn to make every encounter with another, one where the gifts, fruits and love of Jesus within me are transferred to that person. With all that is going on in the world, let us choose to learn these words from Numbers 6: 23 – “This is how you shall bless the people of Israel and shall say, ”May Yahweh bless you and keep you. May Yahweh let His face shine on you and be gracious to you! May Yahweh look kindly on you and give you His peace.”

Now let us read this blessing a few times, taking it into our hearts, and then reach out to that person towards whom we have a tinge of jealousy, that person who has been outsmarting us or that person who has let us down. Let us not only pray for those whom we love and respect but also for those who hate and despise us because the word says, Bless your enemies and do good to those who hate you.

Let us introduce Jesus’ power and salvation into every exchange we have with a friend, colleague or family member. Within us we must hear the Lord telling us – I am for you and I will never leave you. This will give us the confidence to declare God’s blessings over people and into every circumstance. It is no more about us, our achievements or our holiness, it is about our Lord Jesus, what He has accomplished on that cross and His mighty ability to use us as conduits to heal, bless and transform this world. As we embark on journeying through this New Year, let us look forward to miracles, testimonies, signs, wonders and being amazed. We have only tasted a fraction of what God wants to do in the year to come. He is waiting to amaze us as he reminds us that we are His sons and daughters loved by Him, forgiven, washed in his blood and commissioned to set 2022 on fire!

Prayer: Abba Father, I declare in the name of Jesus that this is a year of signs, miracles, wonders and power. Amen