New Year, New You is Possible with Christ

As the Christmas season is coming to an end and the New Year is on the horizon many people begin to think about how to better themselves, what they can do differently in the upcoming year, or how to maintain what has previously been accomplished. For many, the year or maybe years before have been challenging and their hope coming into the new year is sputtering. Regardless, if you are dodging lemons or making lemonade, Christ is still by your side. So, walk into the new year with confidence remembering no matter where you are in life that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Things to remember and meditate on during 2025.
1. For those of us who are struggling with change remember you have already been changed. Your struggle is with accepting that change. The bible tells us that if anyone be in Christ, he/she is a new creation; old things have passed away and ALL things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Walk in your newness.

2. For those of us who are struggling with sin: I know those reading this don’t sin. Contrary to that erroneous thinking, we all sin, no one is sinless although we try to sin less. Nonetheless, sinner or saint remember that Christ has already broken the chains that you are willingly holding onto. The Bible tells us that it is for freedom (from sin) that Christ has set us free so stand firm and do not let yourself be entangled/burdened again with a yoke of bondage (Galatians 5:1).

3. For those of us who are struggling with despair, sickness, hopelessness, or feelings of being overwhelmed cast your cares on the Lord because He cares for you (Peter 5:7). Jesus said to us, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden (carrying heavy burdens), and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Jesus wants us to stop carrying these heavy loads and instead let Him be the one who carries the most weight. We, alternatively, can take the lighter load – take His yoke for it is easy and His burden is light.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, as we journey into a new year, a year of unknowns, a year that is pregnant with possibilities, I pray that we truly learn from You. I pray, that as changed people that we act like changed people and that we stop picking up and putting back on the chains of bondage that You have already broken. I pray that we trust in You with ALL our hearts and stop leaning on our own understanding and that we remember to acknowledge You in all our ways. Lord, thank you for Your Word that guides us even when we don’t want to be guided. In the matchless name of Jesus, Amen.
By Sis. Pat Towns