All Things New

Dec 31, 2022

Today is December 31, 2022, the last day of the year.

Are you anxious to put this year behind you, anticipating better days ahead? Are you busy preparing for a big celebration as you ring in the New Year? Perhaps you’re ferociously making your list of resolutions and all of the things you have to “give up” as the calendar turns to 2023!

As this year draws to a close, I can’t help but have a feeling of gratitude. I’m almost finished going through the Bible, including the additional books in the Catholic edition, trying to understand more about the roots of Christianity prior to the reformation. It’s been good to learn about how we, as Protestants, interpret a few things differently, but also affirming how aligned we are with our Catholic brothers and sisters.

As I look to 2023, I’m hungry to read through the Gospels again!

There is something powerful about monthly immersing yourself in Jesus’ life.

Each time I do it, I deepen my understanding of who He is and what He taught us. Blaise Pascal says:

“Not only do we not know God except through Jesus Christ; We do not even know ourselves except through Jesus Christ.”

As sons and daughters of God, we grow in love and understanding of Him through deepening our relationship with Jesus. Jesus, who makes all things new!

As you think about turning the calendar to January 1, I’d like to invite you to skip making resolutions that are unrealistic to keep, but to set a goal to get to know Jesus, one day at a time.

As we grow deeper spiritually, He gives us power to break through challenges in our emotional health, helps us stay committed to sexual wholeness, and connects in relationships. He gives purpose and meaning to our daily work and personal lives.

Throughout the book of Hebrews, we are reminded of Christ’s greatness. Under the Old Covenant, people offered sacrifices to God for their sin. On the annual Day of Atonement, they were reminded of their failure and brokenness. In Hebrews 10, the author recounts that the Old Covenant was only a shadow of what was to come:

First, Christ said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them” (though they are required by the law of Moses). Then he said, “Look, I have come to do your will.” He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.