For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Well, my friends, the end of the year is right around the corner, and from Wall Street to Las Vegas experts are trying to predict what 2013 is going to bring.

In that spirit of guestimates, I thought I'd go back in time to see how the "experts" -- the psychics -- did in their promises about the year, which is drawing to a conclusion. I was amazed to see the quality of their prognostications. For your amusement, what follows is just a sampling:

One psychic said,

* President Obama would trip and fall during the early months of 2012;

* NASA would announce two new planets with possible life forms. One would have water;

* Iran would see a nuclear-related explosion to one of its two reactors this year due to an accident or apparent sabotage;

* an earthquake in Mexico City would destroy most of the city.

Another psychic promised,

* the Republicans would win the presidential election;

* Tiger Woods would win the U.S. Open this year.

Another said,

* movies would come out of Hollywood that will change and unite the world, creating a vision of oneness and bringing down divisions between countries.

Not bad. Almost 100 percent wrong. Now, to be fair, the psychics did get some things correct. For example, they were on the money when they said there would be terrorist attacks, droughts and floods. Of course, like my daddy used to say, "Even a blind squirrel eventually finds a nut."

The reality is this: nobody knows what tomorrow will bring and, according to the Savior, since our worrying can't help things, we shouldn't lose a great deal of sleep about what is coming.

So does that mean we just sit around and do nothing, that we just twiddle our thumbs in idle waiting as events flow around us?

Not at all. The Lord wants His people to use the talents He has given them. He wants them to go into the world and make a difference, a positive difference. He wants them, in all they do, to make a living witness to the Savior who gave His life, so they might have life and have it abundantly (see John 10:10).

That means 2013 can be an eventful year. It can be 365 days of God's people relying upon the Savior to take them to new places and give them new opportunities, which they never imagined. 2013 can be a year of joy and sorrow, victory and defeat.

And it can be one more thing: it can be a year where nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is ours in Christ Jesus.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, for the past, I give thanks. Now, as I approach a New Year, be by my side and let the year be lived glorifying the Savior, whose life has given me salvation. In His Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Nehemiah 7-9    Revelation 18

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