Welcome to 2018. Countries all over the world ring in the New Year. Here in the U.S., we are officially seven days into the New Year, but other cultures follow different calendars and celebrate the New Year at different times. In each case, ringing in the New Year is laden with traditions. We drop the ball in New York, set off fire works, make promises through New Years resolutions, and indulge in certain good luck foods reserved only for the New Year. In Scotland and Panama, the people hold bonfire celebrations to represent a fresh start for the New Year. They are burning away the old to make room for the new. There are many more, but in each instance: whether it is for good luck, wealth, health, love, family, or self, the underlying theme is change and hope.
Each time we ring in a New Year, we ring in promises of change. Whether these promises are based on New Years resolutions or not: the desire for change stems from wanting something better and/or different. Whatever the promise might be: to finally lose those extra, unwanted pounds; to have a better attitude; to finally quit smoking; or to eat more healthy; we resolve to change. The New Year not only symbolizes change, it also symbolizes a rebirth of hope, a fresh start, taking off the old and putting on the new. We think to ourselves that 2018 has got to be better than 2017. The New Year symbolizes renewal of life, love, and relationships. The New Year provides us with a clean slate that we can fill with our dreams, our hopes, and our desires. As always, we go into the New Year all “gung ho” and motivated. We go into the New Year with the best of intentions. But inevitably, for the most part, life happens. Good or bad, life happens… and we fail.
Why is that?
We go into the New Year carrying and trying to fill the new with the old. In the book of Mark, in the second chapter, there are two verses (21 – 22) that speak on trying to blend the old with the new. The theme in both verses is that it doesn’t work. In other words, we cannot move into a New Year with old thoughts, old ideas, old ways, old habits, and an unforgiving heart. We cannot move forward dragging the past behind us, and expect something new to happen. If it didn’t work in 2017, it will not work in 2018.
Now, trust me, I do understand that everything we deal with is not prompted by us; we are surrounded by family, friends, co-workers, and people we come into contact with. We cannot change them. All we can do is pray for them. But, we are responsible for how we react, the choices we make, the decisions we render, and our response to every encounter. If we want 2018 to be better then 2017, then there is only one New Year’s resolution that we need to make; and that is to focus on the new. We must get rid of all of those old thoughts, old ideas, old ways, old habits, and old ways of doing, that didn’t work and replace them with new thoughts, new ideas, new ways, new habits, and new ways of doing.
And then, just maybe, changes will occur, resolutions will be realized, and dreams fulfilled. My prayer for you and my challenge to you, for 2018, is to focus on the new and leave the old where it belongs… in the past! I want to finish by leaving you with some words of encouragement!!!
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Isaiah 43:18-19
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
And conclude with my prayer for each and everyone of you… that God will,
Psalm 65:11
“You crown the year with your goodness, and your paths drip with abundance.”
Happy NEW Year!!!