New year, new me. Clean slate, right?
Actually…not quite. Your slate isn’t clean. In fact, it’s quite dirty. Smudged. Ew.
Just because it’s the first day (or week) of a new year, doesn’t mean your entire past suddenly becomes non-existent. It doesn’t mean you won’t suffer the consequences of mistakes you made last year. It doesn’t mean you get a completely new and fresh start.
NEWS FLASH: It doesn’t work like that.
Every year, we gather and celebrate the new year – we eat food, stay up way too late, and make our resolutions. A resolution is an intentional decision we make; a promise to ourselves. Some resolve to eat better, workout more, be kind, help the community, etc. – most resolutions are aimed towards the betterment of ourselves. For years, I made resolutions to have a consistent prayer life, dive into scripture daily, be more involved in church, treat my family better, etc. And for years, I failed.
I never got it quite right. There was always something getting in the way – a nagging sin, a pride issue, lack of motivation, things from the past that I couldn’t quite get over…you name it. I’m not saying I didn’t improve…I just didn’t keep my promise to myself. I couldn’t remain fully committed to my resolutions; I wasn’t 100% faithful. New year? Sure. New me? Not a chance. I am still the same sin-filled person I have always been. But hey now, don’t worry…there’s an upside.
It just so happens that God is the same God He has always been – the same forgiving Father, the same redeeming Savior, the same Overcomer of sin and death, the same faithful, loving, and merciful God.
Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (ESV)
Perhaps my sin is new every morning. Perhaps I will not shake free from it on this earth. Perhaps all of those years of resolutions mean nothing. It doesn’t matter.
It doesn’t matter, because I belong to the God whose mercies are new every morning. His faithfulness rises with the sun; His love washes over me when I wake.
Every day I have experienced the newness of my God, and every day I am reminded to be thankful for it.
Personal Reflection
Every day, a friend of mine asks me to share with her 3 things I am thankful for, and she also shares with me. Find a friend or family member and do the same – share with each other what you’re thankful for today! Go a little deeper – talk with each other about how Jesus has shown you His new morning mercies, His faithfulness, and His love.