The NEW Year

Well, it’s December 30th, and soon the year 2013 will be history.

This is the time many reflect upon things they did well, and some maybe not so well. Many will make half-hearted resolutions to quit this, start that, while deep down knowing nothing will change. Most resolutions won’t last for 24 hours; but that’s okay. No one takes them seriously, anyway.

It’s the season to hear the new year prophets proclaim their message of prosperity and abundance for all, while other seers declare certain doom and gloom. Churches will gather their saints to “pray in the new year”, which isn’t a bad thing to do. But how does one pray for a new year?

Do we implore the Almighty for extra grace? What if we haven’t used what He gave us in 2013? Do we beseech God for souls to be saved, when we’ve cared very little about our neighbors? Should we beg for God to do “a new thing” while we despise the “old, worn out message” of the cross?

Do we REALLY need a New Year’s pep talk?

Maybe it would be beneficial to look once again at Solomon’s words.

“What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 ESV)

I’m not trying to rain on anyone’s New Year’s parade, or discourage people from setting goals, making resolutions; those sort of things. My message is simply this:

We really don’t need anything new, if we’ll use what we’ve already been given. There is enough time to eat right, exercise, pray, study, read, develop good healthy friendships, and still snuggle with your honey.

There’s enough money, and opportunities, to make a living. Honestly!

Resources are all around you and I. Resources that have been available probably long before 2013.

The flip of a calendar page isn’t a guarantee for a fresh start, or good riddance to bad habits.

And we really don’t need new revelation from God! I’m not saying He won’t give it; but the Gospel is STILL the power of God unto salvation, the Holy Spirit is STILL HOLY and powerful, Father God and His Son Jesus are STILL running the show!

And He HAS given to His people EVERYTHING that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:2-4).

Maybe this year, instead of looking ahead for change, we should look inside. Implore God to inspect our faith, our desires, the things that frustrate us, the things which tempt us.

Search inside our hearts, Lord.

Because when NEW begins there, it will be quite a year!