It's a familiar scene every December 31st. Crowds of people huddled together in Times Square, New York, waiting with anticipation for the ball to drop ushering in a New Year. At the end of 2022, there was even more excitement for people to be gathered together after missing out during the covid pandemic. The countdown begins at 11:55 as the ball slowly makes its way down the pole until at 12am, the New Year's sign lights up 2023! The crowd cheers, couples embrace, confetti falls, and there's a renewed sense of hope that the old year is erased and somehow the New Year is going to be better. However, the reality is that although the page has turned on an old year, the New Year doesn't guarantee much in the way of change or even hope. People make New Year's resolutions that are quickly forgotten, there are ongoing wars and conflicts in various parts of the world, our government remains in chaos, and yes, the "c" word "covid" hangs on with new variants popping up faster than epidemiologists are able to keep track. People want to believe that situations and circumstances will improve but the reality is the hope that the world offers can become at times nothing more than wishful thinking. So what is there to look forward to?
We Can Become New!
The Bible offers a hope that goes beyond wishful thinking. In fact the Bible talks about how individuals can become new. This is not a resolution but a revelation! This is not something that takes place only at the beginning of a New Year but can take place each and every day of each and every year. Paul states in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!" (NIV) In Jesus Christ there is a hope that is permanent, purposeful, and eternal. All of our sins have been forgiven, past, present, and future through the shedding of His blood and His resurrection. We don't need to resolve that we will do better next year, for in Christ we don't have to earn our way to God. In Christ, God sees us as His children and as co-heirs with Christ and gives us His Holy Spirit. Paul tells us in Romans, "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory." (Romans 8:14-17 NIV)
God Is At Work
God has promised us that He is actively in the process of making everything new and we will one day see and experience a new heaven and a new earth and not merely continue on with the same difficulties rolling into another New Year. (Revelation 21:1-5) So as we move through 2023, we will face many challenges ahead of us, some carried over from last year and some new to this year. Jesus tells us, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33b NIV) This good news is our real and true hope for the years to come!
Peace and blessings,
Pastor Sheree
