I will endeavor to avoid the usual platitudes, but you must admit, the promise of a fresh start that a new year implies is alluring. Who among us has not desired a do-over or clean slate sometime in their life?
Therefore, every January we create this imaginary new life, one that begins on the 1st. Well, since many continue to celebrate on New Year’s Day which may include some of our old, bad habits, the new life begins on the 2nd. Unless of course the 2nd is any other day of the week than Monday because who can start something new in the middle of the week or on the weekend? Everyone knows Monday is the starting line. So, the new life REALLY begins on the first Monday in January after the 1st day of the month. This is widely known and accepted in any civilized society.
What is the origin of this fascination with new beginnings?
When I see babies, I see a new life just starting; when all things are new. The first chapter of their story has not been written but it has begun. Babies look and listen to everything with wonder and fascination. Have you ever watched a baby look at and move their own hand with complete amazement as they try to comprehend this marvelous discovery?
Think about it. All things new. Everything interesting and exciting. That is the allure of new beginnings.
At some point in our life we all want to be a new or different person. We come face to face with our faults and short comings; how we hurt or even continue to hurt others around us. Others find themselves in a cycle of additions or a series of bad relationships. Some have been hurt deeply by others. Life has become dull or meaningless. The list goes on and on.
If only we could go back and make a past experience new again.
God understands. He knows you. He knows your heart. He knows your hurts, doubts and disappointments. In His Word, God said “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.” He knew you before you were born and just like any good parent, He desires a personal relationship with His children, which includes you. Likewise, in the heart of every person is a desire to know God. Though that desire may get buried under the weight of our human experiences, it is there.
Because He loves us, the One who knew you from the beginning of your story does want to make all things new in your life.
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
A new life has begun-a new spiritual baby!
After I invited Jesus to be my Lord, He immediately began to make this true in my life. I began to see this life from an eternal perspective as my relationship with Him continued to grow. All things truly began to be new again. It is an amazing thought that newness of life started from His death on the cross!
2019 can be truly new through the One who knew you from the beginning.
Topics: Encouraging Words
