Happy New Year
I think … I think every culture celebrates New Years. While some places celebrate the event at different times, like Lunar New Year in China and some other Asian countries or like Diwali in India, every culture has a special recognition for restarting earth’s circuitous journey. No matter when the annual celebration occurs, there seems something human to mark the end of one season and celebrate the beginning of another. The new year brings conclusion; the new year bring beginning. Essentially, the new year is a reset. Apparently, we humans (just like my computer) need a reset button.
Hence, we make resolutions: this year I will get in better shape, read more, or become debt-free. As we consider changes for our immediate future, let’s consider changes for our souls. Just like our physical bodies, minds, and finances benefit from renewal, so does our spiritual lives. In Jesus Christ, we are called to newness. Consider the words of baptism: “You have been crucified with Christ and now you are raised to a new life.” A. New. Life. As the scriptures say: If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new here! (2 Corinthians 5.17)
The old has gone! The new is here! But … is it? Speaking for myself, the old clings like some intergalactic-strengthened Velcro and the new sticks like a discount sticky note. The exiting old refuse to relinquish its grasp, and the promised new creation arrives in specks. Herein resides the value of a new year: we get another chance to change. Did last year’s spiritual growth go as planned? On New Year’s Day, it matters not. On this day, we set a new course – leaving behind us the failures and victories of our spiritual life. While this lived experience informs our present, such experience does not determine our future.
Throughout the year, whether Day 1, Day 234, or Day 349, our goal remains the same: Put off the old self and put on the new self.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)
This battle between selves wages 365¼ days/year: Put. On. The. New. Self. Notice the word put. It takes effort. While we remain ever in need of God’s help, change requires effort from us. We need to put.
How will you put in the new year? What changes will make to nurture your spiritual life? Give it some thought. But dally not. If you dilly dally, another year will slip away – and then another and another. The path for change is growth in spiritual disciplines, which are our reoccurring actions that motivated by our desire to be Christ-like. Do you pray before going to sleep? That’s a spiritual disciple. Do you attend the weekly worship service? That’s another spiritual discipline. Do you regularly donate your money? Yep, that counts too.
Question: What new spiritual discipline will you adopt in 2024? Maybe you want to improve consistency on the practices just mentioned: prayer, worship, or generosity. Maybe you need something else: rest, forgiveness, service, joy, etc. The options are endless, but the essential aspect is this: What you are spiritually not doing that you should be doing? If you are like me, such list flows easily.
Suggestion One: Pick just one discipline. Choose one thing and make improvement with that singular item. Lots of change is overwhelming, but we can do one thing.
Suggestion Two: Pick a discipline that is tangible. Make it something you can see and measure. For example, trying to have a more generous heart is difficult to evaluate. Instead, decide to give $X/month to a worthy cause.
Today, make a choice to embrace the new life in Jesus Christ. Then, decide an action that facilitate this new life. And then, do that action. This choice and action will provide a path toward a … Happy New Year!