I can’t take credit for the title; it was on a church sign. You gotta love those church signs! It made me chuckle. Then it made me think.
Usually that type of phrase is associated with negativity. Like new day, same old stuff. We have a new year, but we’re stuck with the same old God. I know that’s not how the church meant it.
They anticipate the New Year to bring change, both good and bad. They foresee trouble on a global scale. Unrest, hatred, ugliness. But, thank God, he never changes. His promises are sure. He never goes back on his word. When he makes a resolution, he keeps it.
I do find comfort in the fact that God is somewhat predictable, as best as we can determine. I mean, nobody wants God to go postal on us. When those around us become untrustworthy, he remains faithful and true.
But may I be so bold as to say that I might just advocate a new year, different God? What I mean is that we should be growing in our faith, and as we do so, we learn more about who God really is. Jesus prayed that his disciples would understand what eternal life is, that they might know God as the only true God, and recognize himself as God’s only son who was sent to them. (John 17:3)
If we’re not evolving in our relationship with our Creator, then we surely have a new year, same stuff. No Christian should claim to have arrived. That’s what bugs me about the salvation experience. We go forward, accept Christ as our Savior, then take a back seat to the “finished work of Christ.”
God doesn’t want us on the bench (yeah, it’s football season!) He wants us to take the position that he has set out for us. We’re really only alive when we get knocked down, but get right back up. When we huddle with our fellow humans and develop a plan to make humanity better. When we keep our eyes on the goal of a close encounter with the Almighty. When we explore and experience God’s love.
Love is at the center of all that matters. (I Corinthians 13) It challenges us, but also shapes us. When we consider the things that God has prepared for us under his banner of love, then the new year can be exciting.
Along with the new day, new hour and precious moments.
Read more about: God, salvation
