“New year, new you!” I am sure that many of you have either seen or heard this expression at one time or another. There is nothing inherently wrong with the sentiment. A new year is often when people take time to examine their lives and, perhaps, strive to make improvements. Of course, it isn’t long before many find themselves to have cheated on or even abandoned altogether any resolutions that they had made. While optimistic, the phrase, “new year, new you,” can also seem unrealistic. Why would the changing of the calendar suddenly cause a person to completely revolutionize their lives? Now, I know some might call me a “pessimist” (it wouldn’t be the first time!), but I prefer the term “realist.” It is perfectly fine to make resolutions and to try to improve your quality of life, but don’t expect a simple flip of the calendar page to bring about real change.
Real, lasting change comes from God working in and through our lives. Paul tells his readers in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” This is exciting news for those who are found in Christ! We are “new creatures,” able to shake free from the bonds of sin and to live as servants of God. But the process of being conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29) usually doesn’t happen overnight. That is why I find great comfort in Paul’s words in Philippians 1:6, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” You may not be where you think you should be, spiritually speaking, but you can have confidence that God finishes what He starts!