When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
~ Genesis 1:1-3
And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new."
~ Revelation 21:5a
Our God is a God of creation, as we often read in Scripture. However, as we come to the end of one year and the beginning of the next, we are also reminded that God is a re-creator, one who makes all things new. Although in some ways the start of a new year is an arbitrary designation, it does give us a chance to make a fresh start of things.
I have never been one to make (or keep) New Year’s resolutions but there is a sense of turning the calendar and trying again. It may be a matter of trying to do things better this year or it could be trying something new this year. Maybe it is smiling more, looking more to the positive things in our lives, living with more gratitude, and allowing God to re-create in us.
The new year may also help to put things behind us. This year I have heard a number of people say how glad they are that 2022 is done! For many it was a difficult year and we could go through the list of things that have caused (and still are causing) pain and hardship.
Turning the page on a calendar doesn’t magically make those bad things go away but my hope is that we can see how God has been with us even through the difficulties and continues to lead us into the year ahead. In Psalm 31 we hear the tension between trusting the God who is faithful and crying out to God in the midst of our struggles.
I run to you, God; I run for dear life.
Don’t let me down!
You’re my cave to hide in,
my cliff to climb.
Be my safe leader,
be my true mountain guide.
Free me from hidden traps;
I want to hide in you.
I’ve put my life in your hands.
You won’t drop me,
you’ll never let me down.
I’m leaping and singing in the circle of your love;
you saw my pain,
you disarmed my tormentors,
You didn’t leave me in their clutches
but gave me room to breathe.
Be kind to me, God--
I’m in deep, deep trouble again.
~ Psalm 31:1, 3-5, 7-9 (The Message)
We may also feel this tension at times as we wait for the re-creation of God. As we enter this new year, my prayer is that you will continue to see the love of God and feel the support of the community of God’s people around you.
~ Genesis 1:1-3
And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new."
~ Revelation 21:5a
Our God is a God of creation, as we often read in Scripture. However, as we come to the end of one year and the beginning of the next, we are also reminded that God is a re-creator, one who makes all things new. Although in some ways the start of a new year is an arbitrary designation, it does give us a chance to make a fresh start of things.
I have never been one to make (or keep) New Year’s resolutions but there is a sense of turning the calendar and trying again. It may be a matter of trying to do things better this year or it could be trying something new this year. Maybe it is smiling more, looking more to the positive things in our lives, living with more gratitude, and allowing God to re-create in us.
The new year may also help to put things behind us. This year I have heard a number of people say how glad they are that 2022 is done! For many it was a difficult year and we could go through the list of things that have caused (and still are causing) pain and hardship.
Turning the page on a calendar doesn’t magically make those bad things go away but my hope is that we can see how God has been with us even through the difficulties and continues to lead us into the year ahead. In Psalm 31 we hear the tension between trusting the God who is faithful and crying out to God in the midst of our struggles.
I run to you, God; I run for dear life.
Don’t let me down!
You’re my cave to hide in,
my cliff to climb.
Be my safe leader,
be my true mountain guide.
Free me from hidden traps;
I want to hide in you.
I’ve put my life in your hands.
You won’t drop me,
you’ll never let me down.
I’m leaping and singing in the circle of your love;
you saw my pain,
you disarmed my tormentors,
You didn’t leave me in their clutches
but gave me room to breathe.
Be kind to me, God--
I’m in deep, deep trouble again.
~ Psalm 31:1, 3-5, 7-9 (The Message)
We may also feel this tension at times as we wait for the re-creation of God. As we enter this new year, my prayer is that you will continue to see the love of God and feel the support of the community of God’s people around you.
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