I’m looking out the window in the early morning on a very cold Colorado winter day. I think about my future and this coming year. Later that day the TV networks looked back at the top stories of 2016. While the top story of my life or yours’ in 2016 didn’t make the national or local news we know what it was. Perhaps it was an event, an encouraging word, a memory, a celebration, a loss, or a lesson learned?
Maybe you rejoiced with a friend or you learned more about your limitations and in the midst of it you became more aware of God’s gracious and kind provision. Maybe today you find yourself in a season of discontent?
No matter what situation you’re in the New Year provides an opportunity for pause
The New Year is a time to both look back and press forward in our relationship with God. This time of year many feel the need to look back by getting out their mental calculator to keep keep score about their victories and losses. Some make a list of bad deeds and resolve “from now on I will not do…”
Most of us hope this year will be better than last. What new experiences or changes will come our way? Others approach the New Year with mixed emotions hesitant to let go of the past. Others make overly optimistic and unrealistic plans of how their new year will look. Some believe that a good intention means a new beginning, that on their own they can make a new start whenever they want. That would be nice if it was that easy.
One thing that we can all count on this New Year is change
There are changes we gladly choose and others we don’t and even regret. Yet more often than not, despite our high hopes and our best efforts, we fail to change in the ways God desires. We can’t just grit our teeth and force ourselves to act with compassion. It’s not about trying harder on our own, when we do it only leads to more frustration.
Jesus isn’t at all interested in our being changed into people who simply become nicer and more agreeable. God does not ask us to accommodate Him, but to live for Him.
He has something far more different in mind for us this New Year. God can change your life story this New Year when you…
Live for what matters to God
Any of us who have attempted change and failed know if this year is going to be any different we need a new approach, a change of perspective. Becoming what God desires of us is not as simple as changing a tire. It is not a quick fix. It’s a heart change. The question is not if we will change, but how?
Change is inevitable, but how will we change? Maybe we need to change our perspective from ‘this is the way things ought to be according to me.’ Or maybe we need to look at how we measure success, or how we control people and circumstances or maybe it’s living for the approval of others.
These treadmills don’t just distract us from a satisfied life they can consume us
These perspectives can unknowingly trap us and rule us. They can suck the energy right out of us and leave us utterly empty. It’s not easy to let go of all the mental stuff we insist we need for our tomorrows along with all the stuff we continue to haul with us from our yesterdays. There is a better way.
There are certainly things we cannot change, but there are changes we can make that can leave a lasting impact in other people’s lives if we choose to live for what matters to God. God has been changing hearts and minds of people and nations for thousands of years and He desires to change yours’ and mine too.
Here’s the deal: God significantly changes our lives when our heart’s cry is, Not my will, but thy will be done…your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. What do you want me to do for You Lord? And that will be enough.
The God that changes not, changes everything!
Be grateful that His love for you and I will never change! That’s one thing we can count on today and every day!
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:22
I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. Psalm26:3
How priceless is your unfailing love. Psalm 36:7
