Have you ever been excited for a new year to start so you could have a clean slate for your goals, prayers, and hopes? Or maybe you experienced setbacks that you preferred to leave behind in an old year. While some people excitedly look forward to the new year, others may feel apprehensive about another year of the same old things.

As the new year approaches, many of my friends and colleagues have expressed their eagerness for the year to end and a new one to begin, as the year has been difficult for them. In some ways, I could relate. After a year filled with accomplishments, healing, grief, and disappointment, I was ready for a fresh start.

I reflected on my fitness goals that I achieved throughout the past year. I successfully gained muscle through my strength training exercises and completed a long-distance race. I also grew closer to God through Bible studies and personal worship. I additionally grieved the passing of loved ones including our beloved CBN founder, Dr. Pat Robertson. It was certainly a year I will not forget. 

As I replaced last year’s calendar with a new one, I felt a sense of renewal and a fresh start for my goals. The new year has a way of symbolizing moving forward in life. As I reflected on the past year, I was reminded of a familiar Scripture that emphasizes the old being replaced by the new.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)

When we belong to Christ, our old life fades away into a distant memory while we continue to develop and renew our relationship with Him. This is an ongoing process that not only gives us a new life when we first accept Him, but also provides us with new lives as we walk with Him every day. Just like any other relationship, our relationship with Christ also requires nurturing and cultivation to grow.

As I was pondering over 2 Corinthians 5:17, I thought about the commonly used phrase, “New year, new me.” We often say this phrase, only to find ourselves stuck in our old habits and unfulfilled resolutions. However, the Scripture provides us with the encouragement to start anew by relying on our belonging to Christ. By allowing Him to speak to our mind, heart, and spirit, we can identify areas where we need to grow or walk more boldly. 

Isaiah 43:18-19 says, But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

While there may be disappointments due to unmet resolutions from last year, this is a new year and God wants to do new things. Whether you enter this year joyfully or with reservation, the God of hope enters the year with you. Get your hopes up this year and allow the Lord to do new things in and through you. 

Prayer: Lord, we ask You to lead us into this new year with an expectation of what You will do. May we receive Your direction as we make plans, set goals, and seek You for growth. With this new year, may we be renewed to do Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.