As the new year is approaching, we are most likely busying ourselves with New Year’s resolutions, and preparation for parties to ring in 2024. As exciting as that is, let’s not forget to simply thank God for gifting us another year. A lot is happening in the world. The struggles are many, and the pain and suffering is abundant. Yet God gives us hope. He has given us another year to love Him, to serve Him, and to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
Whatever the situation might be, and however hard the circumstances are, it is good for us to look forward to the gift of the new year. There simply is no point in looking back, regretting what has happened or what could have happened. When in jail, Saint Paul did exactly that. He did not look at the past, but instead he forgot those things which are behind, and instead reached forth onto the things which were ahead (Philippians 3:13).
This theme of letting go of the past and looking forward with hope is a recurring theme in the Word of God. As Jesus was preaching, he confirmed this by saying “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62). Therefore, if we look back at 2023 with regret, are we really fit for the Kingdom of God? If we are stuck in the past, stuck in anger, stuck in sin, are we really accepting God’s gift that is 2024?
Let’s leave behind what has passed, and lets look forward to a New Year full of Godly hope.
Chrism 