for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

(NIV, Philippians 2:13)

There are multiple things that can be ascertained by studying a cross section of a tree. One, age. As is well known, you can determine the age of the tree by counting the dark rings, starting from the middle of the cross-section. Each dark ring represents one year of growth. Two, weather. Large spaces between rings indicate there was lots of sun and rain during those years. So, the tree experienced more growth than years when the space was narrow. Narrow rings indicate dry years. Three, burns. Black scars between rings surrounded by normal wood indicate a forest fire or lightning that burnt the outside of the tree. Over time, new growth occurred around the scar, but it remained within the trunk.

Tomorrow will be a new year, 2024. As you reflect over 2023, how much have you grown and were there experiences which scarred you for life? By December 31, 2024, how much growth do you anticipate you would make?

Let us go into 2024 with intention! We may get scorched during the year, but we will not let it define us or stunt our growth. At the end of the year, we would have grown no matter how little. But let us charge into 2024 intending to make it our best year ever!

If you set goals and go after them will all the determination you can muster, your gifts will take you places that will amaze you.

Les Brown