The beginning of a new year can be a time to stand in front of the full length mirror of our memory. Whether it’s been tragedy, regrets, unfulfilled expectations, broken dreams or celebration and rejoicing we cannot reverse last year.
As we face a new year ahead, it is quite tempting to once again make a list of well intentioned resolutions and goals, many of which are soon broken. We can resolve to change bad habits and replace them with better ones, but ultimately trying harder is not the answer.
We need a ‘new’ kind of perspective that’s more than goals and timelines that will yield greater rewards now and in our future. So, what is this new kind of viewpoint?
We need a heart change!
The Apostle Paul had a heart change that dramatically altered his life journey. He began to see his past through the lenses of his future, not through the rearview mirror. His future was directly dependent upon his heart response to God. It’s the same for you and me.
After Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the 5,000 the people were awestruck and wanted to make Him their King right then and there! Yet, Jesus said the masses were following Him not because they saw the miraculous sign of a deeper spiritual reality, but because they ate of the food and had their fill (v.26).
Was it about the bread He provided or was it about Him? Many were excited to follow Him — or were they? What did they really want from Him? Was it based merely on the hope that He would be the One to meet all of their tangible needs and the delivery system for their dreams? They missed the point? These signs were meant to point them to God, not just for what he could provide.
How does this story apply to you and I this new year?
Like those who received the bread that day, some of us have been persuaded to believe that our current and future contentment is defined by the amount or kind of “bread”we possess. Many believe that true satisfaction is found in the temporal things that God provides. Maybe a new and improved version of… Maybe a better job or boss, a better church, perfect spouse, a better car or nicer digs? Maybe it’s your next fun fix or the pending “ultimate vacation”?
Tough questions, but certainly worth asking — especially as we begin a new year. Pastor and author Paul Tripp says, “The degree you base your life on something other than God, to that degree God’s love and hope will not comfort you.”
Disillusionment can be a result of following our own dream and not God’s. Will we be satisfied after “we get” or after “our dream is realized”? Are you discontent with your present? Do you struggle with what God has given you?
The satisfied life is not found in what many strive for — it’s found in the only true bread of heaven, the bread really worth living for, Jesus Christ. He alone can truly satisfy the longings of your heart’s cry.
What is the deepest hunger of your heart right now? What bread do you feed on? Is it more than the trivial pursuits of life?
If Jesus is the object of our hunger — and not merely what He provides us — we can experience true joy in the midst of the good times and difficult ones. We can live in the freedom and grace of an authentic relationship with God.
We can pursue all that God has for us with peace — and be truly grateful for the things He does provide. Your understanding of your future has everything to do with how you respond to God this year. This New Year, may the words of Jesus resonate with your heart when He declared,
“I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35
Happy New Year,
