You probably already know …

Did you know the songs we sing in church are a form of confession?

The words to the songs are supposed to be our “confessing” what we believe … but we all know that often we sing without any consideration given to the words coming out of our mouths, don’t we?

That reminds me of a story. As a congregation was singing the closing hymn, “For you I am Praying,” the speaker turned to a man on the platform and asked, “For whom are you praying?”

The man was stunned and said, “Why … Why I guess I’m praying for anybody. Why do you ask?”

We sing many of our songs without an ounce of sincerity. In fact, we think, feel, do, and say many things without sincerity, don’t we?

By the time the first day of a New Year rolls around, we have already entertained thoughts of greater attitudes and achievements for the next 12 months; we may have written down goals, and we may have stated certain intentions for the New Year. But you probably already know if there’s much of a chance for any of those things becoming reality in this fresh New Year because you know, in your heart of hearts, whether or not you were sincere about any of those things.

The sincerity with which you face this New Year determines whether you will act on things desired, stated, written down, and pledged. Just being sincere doesn’t guarantee success, but being insincere does guarantee failure.

Looking ahead at a New Year, what you sincere about?

Scotty