There is an excitement we feel when we get something new. Moving in to a new house provides a sense of excitement: new decorating, a change of pace, a new location and routine. Buying a new car is fun – no costly repairs for a while, and of course there’s the new car smell!
As with all things however, the newness wears off. After a few years the house needs repairs, a new roof and other repairs. What was once a shiny new car now is in need of repair, the finish dulls, and the new car smell fades away.
The dawn of a new year is exciting, whether it is welcomed with family and friends, or quietly. Twelve months of new possibilities stretch before us. The old year with all of its joys and triumph, challenges and difficulties is behind us, and this year is going to be different. We make resolutions, go on diets, and set new goals. Head held high, we set out in to the new year with a sense of expectation and a determination that we will stay the course.
But after a while, the “new year smell” begins to wear off. We become discouraged as the realities of life set in. Some issues are beyond our control. Some difficulties are brought on due to our own poor choices. Soon, the good intentions of “this year is going to different” fades in to the background.
As we set out in to the year 2015, there are two thoughts from scripture that can help us to keep our focus and put our priorities and perspectives in the right perspective.
In Christ, we are made new. “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
For followers of Christ, through His blood our sins are forgiven. God makes us new, the old life is gone, the new one is here. Not just earthly life, but eternal life. What a relief to know that it is not through our own power, New Year’s resolutions or strength that our lives are made better. It is through Jesus and what he has done and continues to do in us that makes us new. We simply need to continue to place our faith and trust in The One who has given us new life.
In Christ, our hope is made new. “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’
He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new.’ ” – Revelation 21:1-5a
Our hope can be focused on a future that is secure because God is making all things new – a new heaven and a new earth. A new place where God lives with His people. A new place where there is no more mourning or tears. A new place where the old is gone.
When life gets bogged down, when what we perceive to be the promise of a new year begins to fade, remember that our hope is made new. We look can look forward to eternal life in a place that God makes new.
We don’t know what the new year holds, but God does. The year will have its share of joys and trials, but through it all God continues to make us new in Christ. He continues to make all things new. Happy New Year!
by Keith Dimbath, Laborlink Work Team Director
