For one more time this week I will give attention to the season. The New Year is upon us. I’m not so sure such marks on the calendar have much to do with the things of the Spirit. After all, our God is eternal, holding eternity past in one hand and eternity future in the other. But time, years, anniversary dates, and calendar holidays have some meaning to us, even if only celebratory, or to remind us of our mortality – as James says – being a vapor on the wind in comparison to eternity. As such, the New Year pales in my mind as reason to celebrate much, but for the resolution aspect of it. That aspect is also fairly shallow, as most resolutions fail in a short time for most of us.
However, the idea of new beginnings or making a new beginning does hold some value. Our God, in fact, it might be said, is the God of new beginnings. From the fall in the garden His redemptive nature and plan for such is displayed. From Noah after the flood through Abraham and dealing with unfaithful Israel, to the resurrection of Jesus, and the promise of eternal life to all that embrace Him and the gospel. His redemptive nature in love is brought to us in scripture revealing His desire and willingness to bring life out of death. And, revealing His redemptive nature in His mercy/willingness to forgive in love and move forward with those that are drawn into relationship (read that as intimate fellowship) with Him, by the revelation of that love in Christ, for a new beginning.
The New Year is traditionally a time of new beginnings (and often failure in them, if in the flesh). But, listening to Him, drawing close to Him in fellowship and a relationship of new beginnings can be a good and spiritual thing as He empowers success in His purpose as we listen to the Holy Spirit.
I am often reminded of the prodigal son at the new year and the “New Beginning” party his father threw for him. The prodigal in the pigpen of His own making “came to his senses” and turned his heart toward home for a new beginning.
As one with a Non-traditional Christian worldview, I know new beginnings are something the faithfulness of God takes great pleasure and joy in. [Lamentations 3:22-23 NASB] 22 The LORD’S lovingkindnesses (mercy and goodness) indeed never cease, For His compassions (mercy, tender love) never fail. 23 They are new every morning; Great is His faithfulness. His love and mercy are new whenever you turn to Him. He is not there to crush with condemnation, but with tender love and mercy.
In Luke 15 we read of a son who is given the world in his fathers inheritance and squanders it, consuming it on himself with the result being winding up in the pigpen of life lusting for the food of the pigs.
[Luke 15:11-24 NASB95] 11 And He said, “A man had two sons. 12 “The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.‘ So he divided his wealth between them. 13 “And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. 14 “Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. 15 “So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 “And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving [anything] to him. 17 “But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 18 ‘I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”‘ 20 “So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion [for him,] and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; 23 and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.
May this season of new beginning cause you to consider His tender love and mercy in Jesus. You will find when you come to your senses in whatever pigpen you may be in or have created of your life; He will run to you! He will kill the fatted calf, bring the best garments, a ring, and new dancing shoes and throw a New Beginnings (New Years) party!
[Luke 15:20 NASB] 20 “So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion [for him,] and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
[Luke 15:22-24 NASB] 22 “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; 23 and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.
Real change may come through coming to your senses and repentance initially. But in His, The Fathers, eyes, it will not remain a pigpen, or sackcloth and ashes, event! Out of tasting death and life, death to yourself and returning to find life in Him, it is a resurrection and life event! A new beginning event.! And, in this case, the celebration is great and eternal. Because everyday is new, and holds promise and purpose, as we are living in Him/Jesus.
(If interested – read more in depth regarding this, here at basicsfellowship.com – search for a post from January 11, 2025 “Change Out of Death and Resurrection… and Chasing the God of The New Beginning, Rather Than The Fresh/Latest“)