New Year, Same Jesus

Happy New Year! I do not know about you, but it seems like I was just purchasing sunflowers at the Farmer’s Market. Now, my social media feed is replete with an onslaught of “new year, new me,” “walking in my purpose,” and “this is my year” mantras. Chances are you have read similar proclamations.

According to Google, approximately 48% of Americans make a New Year’s resolution. Although well-intentioned, 92% of resolutions fail. In full transparency,  I have been in both the 48% and 92% clubs. Those past goals I set for myself were fun and trendy but often unattainable.

Beauty standards change from year to year. Men and women alike try to meet unrealistic attractiveness standards. Materialism has invaded the hearts of many, prompting resolutions to include must-haves like a closet full of clothes, fancy cars, and homes with the latest amenities. Whether these items are financially out of reach does not lessen the desire to possess them.

Some people succumb to stress-induced depression and anxiety when their resolutions fail. Even though they endured unbearable stress in an attempt to reach their resolution goal, they vowed to try again the following year, only to discover that the worldly trend had changed yet again.

But there is hope in Jesus! Scripture tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever, Hebrews 13:8. In an ever-changing world that tempts us to chase new trends and standards yearly, Jesus is the constant we can always depend on. New year, same Jesus. We only need to live for Him.

What does it mean to live for Jesus? While Jesus was teaching, a lawyer among a group of Sadducees and Pharisees posed a similar question. He asked, “Teacher, what is the greatest commandment?”

The lawyer asked the question to trick Jesus into a debate on the law. Jesus’ response in Matthew 22:37-40 focused on the heart, not the law. I envision the lawyer, who had not anticipated this response, quietly walking away.  The verse reads, “You shall love the Lord God with all your heart, and with all your mind, and with all your soul. This is the greatest and foremost commandment. The second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole law and the prophets.”

In these four verses, Jesus answered many of our faith-based questions like, “What is my purpose”? “What does it mean to be a good Christian?” “How do I please God?” The answer to these and many more questions is love—everything we do hinges on our love for God.

When we love the way God loves, we do not need a New Year’s resolution to set our course. God directs our life as in Proverbs 3:6, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” He manages every aspect of our life. Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

New Year’s resolutions may be fun, but they are not needed when we love God with all our hearts, minds, and souls.

May God keep you and bless you,
Tika