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“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19, NIV).
I hear it every year. The boasting of those who have achieved their New Year’s goals for 2 weeks and the complaints of those who have failed miserably after just 2 days. In rejoicing or defeat, one thing is common: Our ability to achieve goals does not rest on ourselves (even as much as we think they might). Our ability to do anything in this life is contingent on Christ’s Spirit working through and in us.
No matter what goals you have or haven’t set or will or won’t achieve this coming year, God’s promises are eternal, steadfast, and true. Here are two that I pray will encourage you.
1. You can change. You don’t have to live the way you always have.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Scripture pens these words: “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun” (NLT). When we surrender and dedicate ourselves to the Lord, He begins a restorative work in us. But much like a home that’s being constructed from the ground up, this restoration takes time.
While there are many beliefs on this view of sanctification and holiness, I think what matters is this: We are works in progress, progressively becoming more and more like Jesus. Some believe this happens instantly, but I believe that as we grow and mature in the Lord, we are shaped into His likeness and image.
In Genesis 1:27, God formed human beings in the likeness of Himself. We know that when we repent, turn to God, and enter into a personal relationship with Him, He begins a new life in us. That is, the sinful way becomes dead, and the Spirit within us radiates actively. But having a relationship with Jesus doesn’t stop sin from tempting us, or bad things from happening. It gives us motivation, power, and encouragement to choose the better way and press on.
When 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind, I believe He’s reminding us with Christ, we can change. Not by our power or might, but His working actively within us. In the weeks after New Year’s, it’s likely that you’ll feel discouraged, frustrated, and downtrodden. You’ll be tempted to compare yourself to others and their picture-perfect Instagram stories. But don’t.
No matter what changes you’re making or anticipating in your life, they are possible with Jesus. Our transformation through Him, from death to life, makes that eternally evident. And remember, it’s Him working through us that these things are possible.
