A New Year dawns when the old year ends. It becomes a “calendar year” because it begins on January 1 and ends on December 31. Millions of people around the world enthusiastically welcome and celebrate the dawn of each new year. It’s a time for reflection and for many to make the traditional New Year’s resolutions.” A new year means different things to different people. Some are excited with intense, passionate feelings. While others with doubts, concern, and skepticism—not known how things will work out for them.
Looking back at the old year, it is humanly impossible to remember every single thing we did or didn’t do. Some of us may have kept a diary to record noteworthy activities or events, as a good means for reflection. Others may not have done so, but instead would rather explore new possibilities and opportunities such as helping others or contributing to worthy causes in a variety of ways. Also, some may desire to make new friends because friendship can improve our happiness and bring about much joy and peace of mind. Still others, perhaps with eagerness are willing to pursue a cause or an objective.
There are some things that will never change in any new year. We know that people will live and die. People will get sick and get well. There will always be the sun rising in the east and then sets in the west. The seasons will remain, and night will follow day. The Bible says, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night , shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22). Also, the rainbow that we see in the sky from time to time is a symbol of God’s promise that He would never destroy the world with a flood again. He said: “I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth . . . I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh” (Genesis 9: 13,15). It is important to consider these things as proof that God keeps His Word and promises no matter what occurs during a new year.
Those of us who are born again, should see and accept the New Year to be filled with challenges and golden opportunities for Christian service and also to practice our faith; spending quality time in prayer, reading the Bible, meditation, and telling others about the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Christians should keep in mind, we really don’t have to worry about anything. God is in control and His Word and His attributes never change nor vary year after year. We always must take into account that the future lies with our God. And He does as He pleases. The Bible says, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us” (Deuteronomy 29:29). God is sovereign. Therefore, It is entirely His prerogative to withhold certain things from us, and reveal those things we need to know for us to live Spirit-filled lives in accordance with His will and purpose.
We have no absolute right to enquire into the “secret things” of the Most High God, neither to attempt to determine their outcome. Hence, the future belongs exclusively to God. The apostle Paul declares: “How unsearchable are His judgements and His ways past finding out” (Romans 11:33). Dr Charles Stanley wrote, “We will never completely understand God’s ways, or grasp why He does what He does, but we can worship Him for the goodness, love and mercy that He has already shown us” (Life Principles Bible p. 1354).
Remember that popular song of yesteryear, “Que sera sera – What ever will be will be. The future is not ours to see. Que sera sera” (Ray Evans, 1915-2007). We cannot see neither nor predict the future. But we know who holds the future. The future is in God’s capable hands wherein lies our hope and our expectation. The old saying goes, “where there’s life, there’s hope.” On a note of caution, perhaps if we have differences with, and or certain peculiar preferences over others. Why not endeavor to settle the matter at the outset of this new year? There could also be the possibility that you may left something unfinished that, if completed, would have added to your accomplishments in the new year. Each individual knows whats going on in their own lives. However, there is nothing we can’t take to God in prayer. He invites us to “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” (Jeremiah 33:3). God is absolutely trustworthy.