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Have you ever excitedly opened a gift or a new item and couldn't wait to try it out? We relish the smell and look of a new car, and as a child may recall the smile and joy seeing the new bicycle. Or in my day, the new state of the art cassette player! However, some new things we don't like as much: a diagnosis of cancer, heart disease, dementia, or receiving that blue slip. New tragic news about a family member cuts deep. This year, as many past, we look hopefully for a wonderful new year. We wish for a good new year to all we know, while knowing it likely will not be so good for some. Yet scripture talks a lot about newness – new things, new life, new starts and more. How do we face the newness of this year – good and bad?
1. We must let go
of the past
Isaiah 43:18-19: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
The writer just got done reviewing help from the past. What do you mean forget it? No, we always remember some things, good and bad. We vividly recall the first time we were rejected, the serious illness, the broken relationship or the heartbreaking loss. On the other hand we remember the rescue from a close call on the highway, recovery from a tough illness or renewed relationships. But what the writer is communicating is we don't live there. We can get lost in the joy or sorrows of the past and fail to live today! The experience of those written to are those going through a time of darkness. How do we move forward? We learn from the past, but we look for new things. A path in the wilderness, water for our deserts of life. Sometimes we hold onto a painful past which holds us back from present and future good.
2. We must focus
on the future
II Corinthians 4:16-17: "Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
When we walk in the wilderness it's easy to get lost in the trees. When I was lost in the woods a few years back I asked "Where am I at?" All I saw was the confusing darkness that surrounded me. However, when my rescuers came with bright lights, it wasn't as scary. Twice in this same chapter we are reminded "don't lose heart" – probably because it's easy to forget. The previous passage reminded us that God makes a way and wants to do new things in our lives. Even if we mess up, we can have a new start.
3. We must rest in renewal and the reminder that this is a new day
Lamenations 3:22-24: "Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him."
We have hope for tomorrow because God is faithful. An old hymn says "Great is Thy faithfulness." It declares, "morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me."
I've been alive since 1963 and every day the sun has risen and set. That gives me hope, because it reminds me God has faithfully, every day, given me a new day. It reminds me of whatever happened yesterday or today in life, relationships, illness or suffering, good news or bad, and even if I have failed, the sun is going to set tonight and will rise again tomorrow. He is faithful. The hard part is "waiting" and trusting.
4. Finally, God is the creator of new things
Revelation 21:5 declares this hopeful promise: "And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."
One day God will make all things right. So, as we face a new year, don't be afraid of the new or get stuck in the past. Learn from the past and find strength from help in the past. Let go of those things you need to from the past, while embracing renewal, the joy of newness, and hope from God for your future. Remind yourself this is a new day. Rest in renewal, one day at a time. As the sun sets and rises each day, find hope for your future for that day because the Faithful One, who brings each sunset and sunrise, is and will make all things new. Now that's a New Year's hope!
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Dan Hamilton is chaplain at Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital.