As I was thinking about this article, I knew it was expected to be about the new year we have entered into. I’m supposed to use such platitudes as, “unfamiliar territory,” “uncharted waters,” or some such flowery verse as that, but I cannot. In my past 55 years, I’ve always entered the new year with optimism mingled with cautious joy. It was always a chance to start over with a clean slate and begin fresh — just like the new year. This year I cannot seem to get there. Instead of cautious joy I am experiencing cautious dread. Let’s face it, many good, decent people took a beating in 2009. All of us were in some way affected by the economy and its collapse. What does 2010 hold? Some experts say things will get better, while others predict it will get worse. Some economists say the job market will improve; others are preaching doom. I studied economics at Miami University in Hamilton, Ohio, and I learned one thing: I did not understand any of it. So, who do we blame? After all, that is the normal human thing to do. The Democrats? Absolutely! The Republicans? Definitely! The Congress? Surely! The President? Why not! The past Presidents? Yeah – them too! One woman told me the other day it was all due to the Jews. I told her, yes, and the Gentiles, too.” She was clueless. Assigning blame does no good because it gets us nowhere. It does not fix the problem. The bottom line is this: it is 2010 and like it or not, we are here. So now what?

For Father’s Day last year, my wife gave me a GPS. You plug it into your car’s power source, type in an address, and it will lead you turn by turn, mile by mile to wherever you want to go. I’ve used mine in “unfamiliar territory,” “uncharted waters,” many times and it has lead me to my destination — every time. While I did not know where my finishing point was, the GPS did. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a GPS for leading us through everyday life? Take heart, there is! The letters of this GPS mean Guidance, Protection and Security. It is provided by none other than Jesus Christ, Himself through His Holy Spirit! As Jesus was preparing to return to Heaven, He told His disciples, “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16 ) They were where we are now: facing an unclear future with dread and trepidation. He also told them, “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things…” (John 14:26)

Long before Jesus spoke these words, Old Testament writers taught us: “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

Guidance!

“When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.” (Proverbs 3:24)

Protection!

“You would be secure, because there is hope; Yes, you would dig around you, and take your rest in safety.” (Job 11:18, NKJV)

GPS: Guidance; Protection; Security!

Yes, I am still nervous about 2010, but I think that is probably good. It will keep me alert and on my toes. It will keep me from getting over confident and cocky. Whatever 2010 holds, I have GPS. The Lord Jesus will travel beside me as my Companion, in front of me as my Guide, and behind me as my Rear Guard. I may not know what 2010 holds, but I do know Who holds 2010. Everything will be fine!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m. The First Baptist Church will be hosting The Southern Sound Quartet from Nashville, Tenn. The concert is free to all, but a love offering will be taken from those who can give.

Victor Cooper is Pastor of the First Baptist Church of St. James City located at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Oleander Street (Stringfellow Blvd). For service times see the ad in the center of the church section in this publication and visit us on the web at www.fbcsjc.com.