Start A New Beginning In The New Year

Many families and individuals often push the reset button for themselves at least twice during the calendar year. They do it both times because of their need to start a new beginning.

September serves as one of the times. Summer has concluded, and activities have slowed down or at least changed. Parents start thinking differently because of the beginning of a new school year.

Many people start to refocus on themselves at the beginning of the New Year. The holidays have ended, life slows down a little, and we turn our thoughts to budgets, diets, and exercise.

The changes we want to make in our lives come in the form of New Year’s Resolutions. Many of which never come to pass. Some we start, don’t even make it to the first day of February.

Realizing we didn’t follow through, we wonder how we can overcome our frustration. Start by asking yourself, how can you make changes at the beginning of the new year that will last?

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The answer lies in our relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus. We can make lasting changes in our lives when we focus on the one who gives us a new life.

Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Beginning with Christ is the Start of a New Life

Christ died and rose again for us. Upon accepting what He did, we have the promise of living with Him for eternity. There, we will shed our earthly body and receive a heavenly one.

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 Corinthians 5:1

Some people don’t like the bodies they have. The Apostle Paul let us know that the bodies we live in now are only temporary. We can all look forward to living in a new and better body.

We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. 2 Corinthians 5:2-3

Most people can tell you a thing or two they don’t like about their bodies. What about you? What don’t you like about your physical being, your hair, your complexion, your size, or something else?

While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 2 Corinthians 5:4

Why do we start making changes at the beginning of the new year? Because traditionally, we have always done it that way. But our reasoning goes beyond our tradition.

Changes Because of Discontentment

Do you remember the last list of New Year resolutions or commitments you made? As you rehearse them in your mind, you’ll find most of them resulted from discontentment in your life.

Too often, we focus most of our resolutions on our circumstances. We want a better job, a new car or house, or even a new spouse. In Philippians, Paul covered the subject of contentment.

I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. And I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. Philippians 4:11-12

In the next verse, he described how he lived with complete contentment no matter the situations he faced. He credited it to his relationship with Jesus.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Discontentment comes because things don’t go our way. It also stems from not getting the things we want. Keep one thing in mind, though: God will always take care of our needs.

This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

So, the apostle encourages us to look past our disappointments and discontentment by focusing on Jesus. I understand that won’t happen overnight. Something else in us needs to change.

Change the Way You Think

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Romans 12:2

We must allow God to renew our minds. Instead of thinking like the world thinks, let the Lord transform you into a godly or godlier person. Look at what the rest of that verse says.

Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

Very few New Year’s Resolutions lists include commitments to improve one’s character. Wealth, popularity, and looks don’t rate anywhere on God’s scale.

He cares about us wanting to become a better person and exhibit love and concern for others. In fact, the Lord, through the Holy Spirit, will help those character traits to grow in our lives.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4 that we will experience troubles in life, but they won’t last very long. Plus, he said we should never give up. He continued by telling us why.

They produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Start A New Beginning Today

So, beginning right now, start a new list of New Year’s Resolutions. Focus them on what God wants for you, not selfish things you want for yourself. Align your actions with God’s will.

I wrote this devotion at the beginning of a new year, but you can start afresh any time. Either commit yourself to the Lord or recommit yourself to Him right now. Align yourself with God.

Lord, I’m ready to enter into eternity. But until that happens, help me to live according to your will for my life.

To receive Jesus, you can start by praying and asking Him for a new beginning in your life. He died on the cross and rose from the grave for each of us. Ask Him to forgive you of all your sins and receive Him for yourself. Now, ask Him to be a part of your life and commit to live for Him.

Find a good Bible-believing church to help you grow in the Lord. If you don’t know where or how to find one, email me at robin@ramckinley.com, and I will help you find one in your area.

Check out these related posts on getting your life right with God