As we embark on another year, and possibly even ponder the past year (or past several years), many people begin to wax philosophical. We think about what could or should have been, or maybe what we hope will be. I believe it’s part of our human nature to mark the days, months, and years, to note the sunrise and sunset. In a Christmas Day sermon in 1624, John Donne wrote, “God made Sun and Moon to distinguish seasons, and day, and night, and we cannot have the fruits of the earth but in their seasons: But God hath made no decree to distinguish the seasons of his mercies…” This beautiful reminder echoes what we read in Lamentations 3:22-23 where it says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

As we celebrate 30 years of broadcasting hope to the Virgin Islands later this year, I am reminded of the faithfulness of God throughout those years. At the same time, as I look forward to what is to come, I rely on that same faithfulness to get us through whatever bumps in the road we may face. We all know those bumps will come. The question is: how will we handle them? What will we learn from them? Will it cause us to question our faith in God, or renew our faith because of his faithfulness? Often times we only see the good things as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and mercy, instead of seeing ALL things as serving his purposes. In his song “I Trust You” Jonathan Traylor writes:

I trust You
Even when I don’t understand
My life is in Your hands
I know that You’re in control.

As you hear this song and other songs with similar reminders of God’s faithfulness on WIVH in the coming year, allow them to flood your life with the peace that passes all understanding! I will close this first letter of 2023 with one more line from John Donne’s sermon:

“…all occasions invite his mercies, and all times are his seasons.”

Serving a faithful God,

Tim Madeira
General Manager