New year means a new theme! It can be a challenge to think through a theme when there are so many unknowns. The past two years have proved to be very challenging, for sure. The year ended with several of us getting the flu and canceling our trip to visit in-laws. It was kind of the icing on the cake to describe what many of us have been going through with the ongoing struggles of inflation, a global pandemic, loss of work, schools shutting down, church services going virtual, and on and on.
Speaking of plans, our theme comes from Proverbs 16:9 ESV: “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” We can plan all we want but it’s the Lord that establishes our steps. Plans change. Always. It’s still good to plan, but plans will inevitably change. There are a zillion factors in life. Things are always shifting and changing.
As we look to the new year and what’s in store for the church, we will make plans. Solid plans. And those plans will change along the way. But God will establish our steps. He is faithful. He knows the future of the church. God will bless the church in immeasurable ways. It’s exciting to wait and see how God will bless and establish our plans.