New beginnings are always a subject of conversation this time of year. We think about making New Years Resolutions, starting new diets, and making vacation plans that we will have to begin to put money away. So many of our resolutions are just so much wistful thinking. We dream about being thin or talented, but the time and effort needed to make our resolutions into realities often get into the way.

God also makes new beginnings. Christmas is the beginning of a new life for all of humanity. Jesus' birth ushers in a new age of grace. God sent his Son that our sins might be forgiven and our relationship with God might begin again. God in the book of Isaiah states it this way;
Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing' now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (NRS Isaiah 43:18-19)

These are the New Wineskins That Jesus tells his disciples about in the Gospel. Jesus himself is the new thing that God has done. Our relationship with him is the new wine, the new life that is even now springing forth. Embracing our new life with God in Christ is God's greatest purpose for our life.

So what does God's new life have to do with New Years Resolutions? Certainly New life in Christ is not something we commit to with great energy and then slowly run out of gas as the cares of everyday life begin to overwhelm us. Yet somehow that is exactly what seems to happen. We are all spiritual beings, and to some degree or another each of us desires we long for a deeper life with God. How many times have we vowed to start out a new phase in our life of faith only to have it fade away just like on of our New Year's Resolutions?
It can be disheartening.

God, however, understands us for who we are and not for who we would like to be. The gift of Grace that Jesus brought to us that first Christmas means that making a new step in our life of faith is not like a resolution at all. You don't have to feel bad when things don't work out, nor do you have to wait for the New Year to begin again. The Prophet Jeremiah understood all of this very well. He tells us: the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
(NRS Lamentations 3:22-23)
You see God's mercy will not wait for the New Year. It is new every morning. If as you read this you have already let part of your Resolutions go by, don't wait for the New Year. Under God's plan for us every morning is a new beginning.

We can succeed in growing deeper in our relationship with God this year. All we have to do is remember God's mercy If we do not grow disheartened, if we start each morning with the new energy that God's grace makes possible new beginnings become new life.

Jesus in the Book Revelation says; "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true. "
(NRS Revelations 21:5)
My prayer is that this year is a new beginning for each of us as well as for our Church Community. I wish you not just a Happy New Year, but also a Happy New Life in God's grace.

Pastor Jim Bliss

Contact Pastor Jim:
Email: jbliss@resluthdublin.org
Phone: (925) 828-1580.

Pastor's Notes Archive