Have you noticed yet? Already. almost imperceptibly, the days are beginning to lengthen; the light stays with us just that little bit longer as each afternoon goes by. That is one sure sign, I feel, that each New Year brings with it; the sign of longer, lighter, evenings ahead, for us.

Perhaps we can see in that, something of the "hope" of a New Year. No doubt 1999 is going to turn out for most of us, pretty much the same as past years have turned out to be. Some days good; some days bad; some days hellishly difficult to take; others, sheer bliss!

It is not my custom to make New Year resolutions. Not so much because I am afraid I shall break them. That is no doubt true; for I know "me"! I know how frail and weak willed I can be! But rather, I prefer to believe that any day of the year can be the right day to make a resolution. Especially a resolution that is going to improve my life and my lifestyle; a resolution that will bring me closer to God.

Perhaps the question put by Jesus to some of John's disciples... "What are you looking for?"... is a good one to apply to ourselves at this New Year season (See John Ch I v. 38).

What are we looking for, as this New Year opens? We can do no better than look for a closer relationship with the One who described Himself as "The Light of the world". We can do no better than ask that He will come into all the dark corners, the dark areas, of our lives, and show them up , for what they are. For again, as John writes, "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has never put it out." (John Ch. I v. 5).

"What are you looking for?" this year? Perhaps most of our ambitions are earthly ambitions. Pray that, whatever else you do this coming year, your main resolve will be to let "The Light of the world" shine on you. To so let His Light shine on us, that we in turn may let our light "so shine before men (and women), that they may see (our) good works and glorify (our) Father which is in Heaven." (Matthew Ch. 5, v. 16).

God, for His part, can and will do this. It is up to us! For - if we seek to do His will (not our own); if we "seek first the Kingdom of God" we shall rind, slowly but surely - we shall become changed people. It may well happen imperceptibly, like that lengthening afternoon daylight ... little by little, day by day ... but happen it will! For if we do "seek first the Kingdom of God" we shall Find that, whatever else we are looking for - "all these things will be added unto us." And that's a promise! (See Matthew Ch. 6 v 33). Not just for New Year, but for every day of the year!!

Let's...

W.W.W