As I write this blog post on the first day of the new year, 2024, I can sense the energy that comes with the arrival of a New Year. People of faith around the country and the world held special and high-spirited gatherings to bring in the New Year. Revelers would not be outdone. Parties and fireworks were the order of the day. You name it; it all went down to bring in the New Year with a bang.
Everyone of us who is in the land of the living today has been blessed to see a New Year. But God’s desire for us is not to simply exist from year to year. He has a purpose for each of our lives. Accordingly, He has blessed us with certain gifts and abilities. He wants us to live out His purpose and grace that was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (2 Timothy 1:9).
So, are you living or simply existing from year to year?
Perhaps you had what you would call a “terrible year” last year. You just want to forget it happened and start afresh this New Year. But in doing so, please don’t ignore the lessons learned from last year that are relevant to this New Year.
For instance, for most of the past 40 years of my life, I have served as the pastor of several local churches. This New Year marks the end of that chapter of my life and the beginning of new endeavors in the ministry. But I know that heeding the lessons learned from past years is vital to my success going forward.
All Things Work Together
Generally speaking, God is doing in our lives what He has been doing. By that, I don’t mean He wants 2024 to be a repeat of 2023. Rather, your experiences with God in 2023 are relevant to 2024. Some of your learning experiences from last year, however painful, are keys to your success in 2023. By ignoring lessons learned in the past, you may be destined for repeating some disappointments in the future.
If you are in Christ, God’s involvement in your life constitutes a continuum. He has begun a good work in you. He is faithful to complete that good work in you (Phil. 1:6). This good work transcends the years of your life. He knows how to make all the things of 2023 work together for your good in 2024.
If you are currently not in Christ, this kind of experience with God can be yours as well. What better way to start the New Year than by accepting Christ as your Savior?
I want to thank you for reading this blog post. I wish you a blessed and awesome New Year!
Copyright © 2024 by Frank King. All rights reserved.