From Beginning to End

From Beginning to EndMilan Ford Well, here we are.Today is Wednesday, December 31st. The very last day of the year 2008.And what a year it was.Question: Do you remember where you were last year around this time?Better Question: Do you remember what you heard last year around this time?On December 31st (2007), you may have been one of the millions of people across this nation, who gathered together inside their local church for its annual Watch Night Service.And although there are times when the variations of our church annual themes and proclamations can make God look a bit schizoid in the eye of the unbeliever, for the most part, millions of people across the nation heard a message that evening about the significance of the year 2008.2008. The year of (yep, that's right)......New Beginnings.After 365 days, I think I probably heard every message imaginable about the number eight (8).From areas of relationships to finance, issues of health and areas of leadership, the hope for a New Beginning was indeed high on the hearts and minds of believers both young and old this year.Now I am not in any way what you call a great practitioner of biblical numerology, but I took a few moments out the other day to research the significance of the number nine (9). Just seemed like a cool thing to do on the eve of 2009. Needless to say, I was a bit surprised at what I discovered.The number nine (9) literally means: to bring to an end.In fact, in one instance, I found that the number (9) means: to bring a judgment (or conclusion) to.Not exactly the kind of words you'd expect people to pack out a sanctuary or tear up a few pews in order to hear this evening. To bring to an end.To bring to a conclusion.To bring a judgment to.Pretty far cry from the usual New Year phrases we've coined and embraced in the past like...The Year of Divine Favor.The Year of a New Beginning.The Year of Release.I actually heard that one church already coined the phrase: All Will Be Fine...in 2009!It kinda makes you wonder......what will God say (about 2009) on tonight?Well, while millions across the nation prepare themselves to hear the answer, I want to leave you with a quote I came across recently that summarizes what I want my 2009 to look like."The oppression of the poor isn't driven by the power of the oppressor, but (rather) the vulnerability of the oppressed." - Gary HaugenAs you prepare for tonight, it is my prayer that 2009 will be a year that you and I will put an end to our excuses. A year that you and I will no longer blame any oppressor, spiritual or natural, for the things we desire to accomplish in our lives next year. 2009 is indeed going to be a great year.But it may be one that involves will bringing an end to some things.2009 is not a year for to be lazy and vulnerable. We can no longer wait on God to bring a conclusion to something He has already empowered us to do. This year involves succeeding at obtainable goals, just as much as it involves reaching for some impossible ones. This year, you and I must become (sorry for the dirty word here)...responsible.Tonight, be careful not to become too consumed with asking God (yet again) to begin some new things in your life, without examining the things He has also told you to bring to an end.Although it may not be comfortable and popular, it is time.Happy New Year!(In fact, make it more than happy. Make it productive!!