New Year’s resolutions. I get excited at the thought, yet there’s a part of me that doesn’t like them. Most of us have experienced the letdown of deciding to change our patterns and behaviors in the new year, with far too unrealistic expectations of ourselves, only to be disappointed by our choices a month into the year. Why do we do it to ourselves?

There’s something inspiring about the thought of a new year. Admittedly, there’s nothing different about January 1st from December 31st, but we choose this time to make changes to our lifestyle, eating and exercise habits, daily routines, and social plans. “I’ll do better this year” we think. But we often find ourselves disappointed by the time March rolls around. This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t set new goals or expectations. Absolutely, we should. It is not wrong to desire to improve ourselves, and it certainly isn’t wrong to want a new start. And that’s exactly what we believe the beginning of a new year brings. A new beginning of sorts.

The new year seems to offer this new beginning as a fresh start, or a chance to do things over. However, that hard line in the calendar doesn’t actually change anything other than our perspective. And this perspective is fueled by a deep desire that springs forth from our very core. The fresh start mentality that the new year offers is just a glimpse of a greater truth that all of creation yearns for. We love the idea of a new beginning because it is hardwired into our very being that has been there since Adam and Eve first ate the forbidden fruit in the garden so long ago.

It’s sad to say, but most, if not all of us will never experience a life that is void of pain and suffering, where everything goes right and according to plan, and all of our hopes and dreams come true. We have great seasons, for sure, but there is always regret, disappointment, and frustration along the way. 

No one looks at their lives this New Year’s Eve and truly believes that nothing needs to change. Because we all have deep within us a need for a new beginning. There is nothing in this world that will ever give us the true fulfillment that our souls require. We express this need on the small scale by attempting new disciplines, buying new things, or seeking new adventures but we only ever scratch the surface of the true longing in our hearts. The desire for home. 

Our true eternal home, where sickness and death will be no more. Where we will experience the greatest fulfillment and satisfaction in life, without the pain of loss and degradation. Where we will no longer have to battle with our sin nature and the shameful guilt that accompanies it. Where we have unbroken communion with our Creator. We long for this place more than we realize, and many of us seek to fulfill this longing with earthly purpose or material gains.

As C.S. Lewis says in ‘Mere Christianity’, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” 

Everyone has this desire and New Year’s Day seems to remind us of it.

However, we do experience some level of newness on this side of heaven. Jesus tells us that ”I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.“ (John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬) He’s not saying that our lives will be perfect, but that He offers the way to a life renewed. And everyday is a chance to live in this rebirth. 

So when you start the new year, with the hope that this will be your yearbook , remember that because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross you have been granted the only way to true, life changing newness. ”This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!“ (2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬) Every day is an opportunity to take hold of the astounding grace that our Lord offers, and freely thrive in that newness of life, even in a world that is still very broken.

We are meant to find our greatest satisfaction in Christ and Christ alone. And through Him the world seems so much brighter. 

The Lord’s mercies are new every morning. So, even though we don’t need a new year to experience this beautiful truth, the new year simply reminds us of our need for it. 

”And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ 

Jason