2014 is history—the victories, the defeats, the surprises, and the disappointments. How well we have learned the lessons of 2014 and how well we apply them in 2015 will define the measure of our success as we face new challenges and press forward to Election 2015.

All around us we see signs of decay and social collapse. From international terror to domestic incidents of tyranny, we see mankind propelled almost frantically along a path of rebellion against the wisdom and instruction of our God. Abroad, we see our brothers and sisters tortured and beheaded. In this country, we see law societies, elected politicians, and unelected judges depriving our brothers and sisters of their freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of religion, and freedom to participate in the public square. As I write this, our beloved friend, Mary Wagner, has just been re-arrested and is spending this season behind bars. Trinity Western University has been compelled to take provincial law societies to court to assert the right of Christian-thinking law students to practice law in Canada as equals to their atheistic counterparts.

As we reflect on the year just past and the unmistakeable unravelling of our social institutions, there could be a temptation to despair, to give up, to throw in the towel. “What’s the use?” many may say. “You can’t fight city hall,” they argue, and, “Judging by the past, you’ll never make it.”

We don’t judge by the past; we learn from it. Thomas Edison, who brought the incandescent light bulb to a commercially-usable form is reported to have said along the way, “I have not failed 700 times. I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving there are 700 ways not to make it work…” He did not quit; he kept at it and, eventually, he did find a way to “make it work.” Every one of us has benefited from his perseverance.

If we were to quit every time we missed a goal or a target, we would never get anything done. Do you remember the first time you tried to tie your shoe? Probably not; but now you are so successful that you can tie them without even thinking about it. Aren’t you glad you didn’t give up?

God does not want us to live in the past: neither to wallow in self-pity and defeat nor to rest on our laurels of accomplishment. He wants us to put on our boots, roll up our sleeves, and do the things He has called us to do. Some of those things will be easy and some will be hard but “in due time we shall reap a reward if we do not faint.”

As the apostle Paul said, “…forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark…” We also press toward the mark, believing that “He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion.” God doesn’t quit and neither should we. God has already been preparing us for the challenges we will face in 2015. He promises us grace, strength, wisdom, provision, and protection. He only asks us to trust Him and to walk in faith, in obedience, and in courage.

As we launch into this New Year, it is good to know that not only is this a new year but our God’s “mercies are new every morning.” Wherever we failed yesterday—in our relationships, in our attitudes, in our zeal and passion—we can begin anew today with a blank page on which God allows us to write.

Like all of you, I have many hopes and dreams for 2015. I pray that the CHP might grow in size and influence. I pray that the Lord will continue to open doors for us and bring our message into living rooms across this nation. I pray that men and women and children who love the Lord and who desire to see righteousness restored in Canada would extend to us the “right hand of fellowship” and join us in our efforts to bring biblical principles to bear in the legislatures, the courts, the classrooms, and the newsrooms of this nation. I pray that all of us who have covenanted together to make a difference in Canadian politics might be encouraged, emboldened, and empowered to do God’s work in God’s way. Without Him we can do nothing but with Him all things are possible! God bless you all in the exciting New Year ahead.

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