New

As I closed out 2020 and another year of reading through the Bible, I finished with Revelation, the last book, of course.  It is very fitting to end the year with this book because it ends, reminding us that one day God will make a new Heaven and a new Earth (Revelation 21:1), one without limitations and disappointments and elections and sickness and riots and looting and social media and  whatever else may have turned your stomach this year.  The Bible tells us repeatedly that He makes things NEW: New Song (Psalm 40:3 NASB), New Heaven and Earth (Isaiah 65:17, Revelation 21:1 NASB), New Heart and Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26 NASB), New Mercies (Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV), and there are countless others!
​This should excite us, because we need new everyday.  I am sure you can relate...I need a new attitude and a new heart and a new everything (especially a new body).  I don't know about you, but I am more aware everyday that this body of mine is not what it once was and I am reminded of this every time I cheerily bound up to the mirror feeling spry and youthful only to glance up and be reminded that I do not look spry and youthful at all!!  What happened?  Where did the time go?  Why is that wrinkle there?  I had brown hair, like a minute ago....And I am sure we can all relate, for even those young among us understand that things change and not always for the better.
We like new and God knows that because He designed us that way.  What is more beautiful than a new car (and that delicious smell), a new home, a new job, a new relationship, a new pair of shoes, a new adventure?  We are programmed to want new!  This is why we are often so hopeful with the beginning of a new year and the hope that maybe THIS year will be better.  Will 2021 be better than 2020?  Who knows.....It is a NEW year, but the question of it being a better year remains to be seen.  The good news is that when we face struggle we can still rest in the knowledge that God is good and His mercies are new every day.  So, do I hope 2021 is better than 2020?  Of course, because anyone who has survived 2020 feels that way, but as the year begins, let us put our Hope, not in the new year, but in the ONE who is allowing it to come about. Every new year, new day, new moment can be better than the last with Jesus guiding it!  Let Him show you something new everyday and seek His face every day.  That is my prayer for you and me and the world in 2021, that we will seek Jesus and know Him more.  That knowledge will be lasting and enduring no matter what the new year brings!