New Year. New You.

“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day”. – 2 Corinthians 4:16. 

In the mid-to-late 70s, there was a TV show called The Six Million Dollar Man. If that was before your time, the show was about an astronaut who nearly died in a terrible accident.  The government replaced his crushed body with bionic parts that made the new him better, stronger and faster than the old him.  Now I would not want to be a bionic person, but who wouldn’t want to be better than you were last year; a better follower of Jesus, a better spouse, parent, employee, friend. Or be better at loving others, having joy, and finding peace. 

Today we stand on the threshold of a new year. What seemed so distant is now history.  For the next few days, we’ll continue to pinch ourselves saying, “Is this really another year and another decade?” Will 2020 be better than 2019. What does the new year hold in store for us?   

Paul’s words to the church of Corinth in 2 Corinthians 4:16 give all of us who are believers hope in times of transition and change. He was writing to a persecuted church telling them and us that regardless of what you are experiencing today, there is something better coming in Christ. And isn’t that the longing in our hearts as we approach the new year. Whether we are a child, a high school or college student, middle-aged or in our golden years, there is a belief that the future will be better. We “are being renewed every day” by God. His mercies are new each morning, and we are able to grow each day in our understandings of Him and personal relationships with Him.

The new year brings with it the thought of new opportunities. The new year seems the perfect time to make commitments and take action. If you are dissatisfied with how you have lived this past year, there will be new opportunities before you. It can truly be a new year for you, with a better and s stronger relationship with God. 

My prayer is that we will embrace the new year. It may be filled with headwinds, transitions, and trials, but for the believer, there is such incredible hope and unexplainable joy as we serve Him no matter the circumstances. May this be a new beginning for a new you where you see the Lord move in your life.  

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you want to pursue in the new year?  
2. What are some ways we can be better as followers of Jesus in the new year?