making sense of "New Year"

Today is one of those times when many people reflect back and resolve forward. Looking back can bring both pride in accomplishments and guilt over failures. Looking forward brings us hope and determination about what can be but fear of what might be. Of course, next Jan 1 we will be reminded of how our resolutions faded, replaced by disappointment. Resolve for the new year becomes progressively less hopeful. This is our human dilemma because the good life revolves around what we do and how our circumstances form to bless or curse us.

Those who trust their well being to Jesus have a Kingdom mind. This should mean something very different to making sense of the progressive cycles of the new year. In the Kingdom God's view of us has nothing to do with what we did or will do. His view of our goodness is never based on our ability to set and keep good resolutions.

He views us as the recipients of His own love for us. He has made us good, not our resolve. When He sees us, He only sees His Son who paid the price for our failures, guilt, disappointments and yes, even the pride that keeps us at enmity with God.

Looking backward and looking forward is a great time for the Kingdom mind to overwhelm us and to make sense of the past year and the new year as simply blessings from the provisions and privileges of the Heavenlies!!

Lets replace New Year reflection and resolution with pondering His grace ....