A New Year, A New Season

Amazingly, it’s that time. A new year is approaching again. This is the time of year so many of us start making resolutions to change a certain area, or multiple areas in our lives. Maybe we have some extra pounds to shed. We might be committed to changing a specific, harmful behavior. New Year’s resolutions range from simple desires to seemingly full-proof-plans for extensive life change. What we all have in common is the hope that something will change, and life will be different, and better in the year ahead.

Every year, people ring in the New Year with goals to live differently on some level. However, a few short weeks later, many of these very same well-wishers end up discouraged and filled with shame and remorse over their failed attempts to make their resolutions come to pass. Who knows? This may be the second, third, fourth, or 15th year someone has tried to “kick the habit.” After so many misguided attempts, why would they even want to try again?

That’s a good question. First consider a few additional questions. What if every spring, the flowers just gave up on blooming? What if the local birds that have migrated to some faraway place just decided to stay put on that tropical island? What if the sun chose to hide behind the clouds all summer long?

Worse yet: what if Christ had not come to earth as a baby or hadn’t risen from the dead?

I don’t know about you, but I love fragrant flowers, sweet singing birds are pretty nice, and, oh, how I love that summer sun smiling down on me! But the thought of Christ not defeating death is downright terrifying. Without his resurrection power, we really would have no hope for permanent life change — ever. However, He was born. He died. And he most definitely did rise again.

That means this year, this month, today, or even this moment, is filled with hope for a better future in him. We don’t have to white-knuckle it anymore. Whatever your “it” might be, you too can turn from your sin, and release it into the capable hands of the ultimate Life-Changer Jesus Christ.

When we desire change, we have the perfect example to follow: Jesus Christ. When we are ready to implement change, we have the perfect guidebook: His Word.

As we pursue change God’s way, hope for a better future is no longer a dream; it becomes our reality. We truly can experience freedom in our lives today, tomorrow, and forever. With Christ, we don’t have to wait for another New Year to roll around, or for the big glittery ball to drop-in Times Square. His mercy is new every morning. We can pursue our own new beginning right now. Happy new year and may this year bring you many blessings! Please visit The Family Church 9456 Hwy 146 N. Hardin, TX or Facebook live at @tfchardin.