"You crown the year with Your goodness,
And Your paths drip with abundance."
Psalm 65:11
"Transitioning into a New Year"
Article by Lauri McNair, MS
I fondly remember New Year's Eve as a little girl. Our family would often spend it at my grandmother's home. In my school-age girl mind, it was a really exciting and big deal because I was allowed to stay up late enough to watch "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve". (I know I am dating myself, but I know I'm not alone on that one!) My cousins and I would be on the edge of our seats waiting for the countdown to that huge illuminated glass ball dropping (seemingly) from the dark night sky at Times Square in New York City. We would eat our "traditional" New Year's Eve dinner--rice, black-eyed peas, and collard greens. Each of those items represented something that we hoped the New Year would bring. Tradition, for sure, but it symbolized anticipation and wanting good things in the new year.
Most of us aspire to something good or positive in the new year because theoretically, a new year marks a time of new beginnings and a fresh start--"out with the old and in with the new". But, what does the New Year 2015 mean to you specifically? Is it a time to make a New Year's resolution? Is it a time of reflection and self-evaluation? Is it met with anticipation and excitement? Is it greeted with trepidation and fear or hope and expectation? Is it a reminder that we are getting older? Perhaps 2015 means major milestones in your life--graduating high school or college, getting married, moving, starting a new job, or expecting a baby.
Whatever 2015 means to you, whatever you aspire to do this year--may I encourage you to make a personal relationship with God your top priority. He is the one who already knows what lies before us in 2015. His word tells us that He surrounds our year with goodness; benefits, prosperity, happiness, and good things. His paths trickle blessings and abundance. We can rest assured that a loving, good, and kind Father keeps his promises. Sound too good to be true? Remember, we are talking about God--not man. He does not lie (Numbers 23:19)and he does not change his pre-ordained plans for our lives. His thoughts towards us are good and not evil to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).
As we say goodbye to 2014 and all of the events thereof, we look back at what is now a part of our past--woven into our ever growing tapestry of memories. We will never see 2014 again. It is history, if you will. Yet, there is one constant and abiding truth--God is faithful. He does not change, nor does his word. His promises are yes and so be it (2 Corinthians 1:20)! He promises never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He is with us (Matthew 1:23)!
May deciding to pursue God and embrace the truth of His Word be your resolution in the
New Year!
