Swept Clean and Garnished

been touched by human hands. The things that happened last year are forever gone now. Nothing we can do will change the fact that they were done; all we can do is to change the results of what was done.

One statement that I’ve often heard is; “All is well that ends well!” How true that is. But in order for all things to end well, we have to make the choice to change the course of our lives and obey the Word of the Lord. Nothing that is contrary to the Word of God can possibly end well, no matter how it may appear so at first. The end of rebellion and disobedience is sin, and the wages; payback for sin, is always death. How can that be well?

If we dwell on what is past, how can we change the future? Think about the past, learn from the past, and then go and change the future. That’s what it’s all about.

Last year was a hard year for mankind as well as for many of us. One year ago, a great tsunami wave hit the Pacific islands destroying many thousands of lives, and wiping entire cities off the face of the earth. Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and others ripped through the Gulf South and southeaster U.S. obliterating entire regions and taking the lives of hundreds of people. Worldwide and nationally, we have seen catastrophes that would rank with the greatest natural disasters in history.

On more personal levels, all of us have seen troubles, trials and tests. Some of them were devastating and the effects that they have had on us may take years to heal at best. Some of our loved ones who were with us this time last year are now at home with the Lord. Some of the people who attended this church last year are no longer attending. Some of you have seen some job changes. Families that were once strong are now shattered by the divorce courts. Every new day brings its share of calamities and bad news. We can’t go back and do it again. We just have to be prepared as best we can for what lies ahead.

I have learned that the only thing certain is that nothing is certain when it comes to life on planet earth. Change is inevitable and it’s not always for the best no matter how much you believe in the power of positive confession.


Writer Robert Burns once wrote a play called “To a Mouse”. In that play he is credited with the statement that says, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” None of us have seen a perfect life this year, and I dare say that not one of us will see a perfect life next year either. The fact is that life is imperfect. There are no perfect people. There are no perfect churches. There are no perfect spouses. There are no perfect children. And there are no perfect plans. We all have to contend with “Murphy’s Law”. In fact, as I look around the congregation every week, I am convinced that some of you are really close kin to Murphy.

So you aren’t where you wanted to be, you aren’t where you thought you would be, you aren’t who you thought you would be, and life has been hard. What will you do about it?

One businessman I know makes some very pointed statements concerning how we face adversity.

“It isn’t what happens to you that matters, it’s how you handle it!”
“You can get bitter, or you can get better!”
“It’s not your aptitude but your attitude that will determine your altitude.”

If the Lord should tarry, and we are still here next year, how do we begin again