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The Gift of a New Year

byJohn I. Snyder
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This is what the Lord says—he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters… “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
~Isaiah 43:16, 18-19“If you are the same person today that you were a year ago, or even a day ago, you are not growing…You are never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream.” 
~Les Brown

As we pack up our Christmas decorations, we all talk about resolutions in the new year—hopes, dreams, and goals—what we loved about the past year and what we want to change or be different. And each year, looking back, we think how fast it has gone. We talk about the things that didn’t change as we had hoped and about the ways the year surprised us.Or disappointed us. It can be easy to dwell on the negative—the financial problem, the health issue, the relationship driving you crazy, the children, the job.

Now let’s consider the new year.

The new year brings a fresh, clean slate, with hope for what the future may bring. Yet it is faith in the God who holds our lives in his hands that makes this hope possible—more than just wishful thinking or “I hope so.” It is a truth to build our future on, knowing that God will still be in charge of whatever comes.

Let’s commit ourselves to another year of love and hope, letting our hearts and minds be full of dreams and plans bigger than ourselves. Whatever the past year has brought, we need not be hindered by anything that threatens to weigh us down with doubt or darkness.

Nothing.

Let’s forget what is behind us, as Paul says in Philippians 3:13–14:

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

As believers, we have the greatest confidence in the world for a bright and hopeful future. So we forget about the past—holding on to the good, pressing on toward the goal, and letting go of all the rest.

Prayer

O God, refresh our minds as you refresh time in gifting us a new year. Remind us every minute that you have brought to us in Jesus the absolute truth that you are with us, and that our hope is sure, every day and every step of the way. You bring good out of evil, you forgive our every sin, pick us up when we fall, restore us through your unrelenting mercy and grace, and hold us secure in your powerful and faithful hands. Accept our immense gratitude for all you’ve done. Amen.

John I. Snyder
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