What do you think about when New Year’s Day comes? Do you make a lot of promises to yourself about things you will do to improve your physical health? Do you examine your spiritual life and challenge yourself to do better at reading your bible, praying, or even attending church? Are you a goal setter, hoping to be further along in your career, making more money, or gaining social status? What does the new year bring for you?
It is funny to me how people get caught up in traditions that are superstitious beliefs. I remember growing up hearing people ask one another if they had black-eyed peas for their New Year’s Day meal. It was supposed to bring you good luck if you ate them. Another tradition for some is the burning of a decorated log in the fireplace called the Yule Log. It was supposed to symbolize the light coming back to conquer darkness. Then in America, we have the dropping of the ball and countdown in times square at the stroke of midnight. People all over the world seem to get excited over the start of a new year as if there is something magical about a stroke of the clock. They use a baby with a sash and a diaper as a symbol to show the new beginning. This baby is to signifies innocene, freshness, and a representation of no past. I believe most of our New Year’s celebrations are just another opportunity to have a party, eat, drink, and live for the moment. However, when they wake up the next day none of the celebrations changed the life they were living and the expectations that were there on December 31.
So how can we use this holiday to make a difference? We know the stroke of a clock isn’t a magical solution to our problems, nor does wishing someone a Happy New Year make them happy.
First, we need to determine who we are living to please. If our goal is to fulfill I Corinthians 10:31, which says everything we are and do is to be done for the glory of God, then we will have a goal that God will help us to achieve.
Second, we commit to study the Bible every day. Will we fail in that aspiration? Probably, but failure will not be a habit. It will be an exception. When we study God’s word, we get a clear picture of what brings glory and honor to Him. Without knowledge, we are fumbling in the dark trying to please Him. We are commanded to study His word in II Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Third, we need to be obedient to pray. All throughout scripture we are commanded to pray. Yet, this seems to be the area that gets less time than any other command. In Matthew 5:44, we are to pray for those who “despitefully use you,” a tall order when you are being used. In Matthew 6:7, we are to pray without using “vain repetitions,” meaning empty words used out of habit. In Mark 14:8, we are to pray that we “don’t enter into temptation.” In Luke 10:2, pray “for laborers” for Christ. In Luke 18:1, pray for endurance “to not faint” in the work for Christ. In I Thessalonians 5:17, we are to “pray without ceasing,” keeping a mindset of talking to God. In I Thessalonians 5:25, we are to “pray for our brothers and sisters” in Christ, I Timothy 2:8 pray “without doubting,” James 5:13-14 pray “for the sick,” and in verse 16 pray for one another spiritually. Do you get the picture? If we are going to make this New Year different, we must obey and pray.
If we are going to have a Happy New Year in Christ, we must live as He intended for His children to live. This will take a discipline on your part and a determination that is controlled by our love for Christ. John 14:15 makes it very clear that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. If you are saved you will love Him, and the more you study to get to know Him, the more you will love Him. Where there is no love there is no salvation , and where there is little love there is little success in living the Christian life. Make this year a year that will set the pace for your future. You can’t do anything about the past accept repent and move on. Allow God to work in your life, then obey and you will have a “Happy New Year!”
John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
