by June Patrick
At the beginning of each year our pastors have encouraged us to pray, asking God to give us a personal word for the new year. Interestingly, the word I seemed to get was, “New”, meaning fresh, original, different than before, unfamiliar, or having recently come into existence. As the year 2020 started out, I noticed a lot of things I could relate to this word. It was not just a New year, but the beginning of a New decade to look forward to!
In January I moved into a New home with my grandson and family. I purchased New things for my apartment within their home. It was all very exciting and I was looking forward to this New season of my life! Then, beginning in March everything “New” started happening! A New pandemic hit the entire world, causing changes the likes of which had never been seen or experienced before! My word, “New”, took on an entirely New meaning! It seemed as though an out and out attack was released from hell against our nation and the world, bringing us to our knees. I believe God used it to wake us up, get us praying and being the light we’re supposed to be in the darkness.
In spite of what was spiraling all around us, we had to get a grip and work on a New perspective. Turning to God was the only answer! Nothing is New to him or takes him by surprise. The devil attacking us was nothing New either. He was doing his thing-stealing, killing and destroying, only in a more intense and widespread way that seemed to not let up. But our God is greater and mightier and if God is for us, who can be against us! We need to fight, using his word (the sword of the Spirit), and pray and worship him!
God wants his church to arise, repent and unite to fulfill our purpose. We have to remember who we are and what we’re here for. God’s word says a lot about the word “New”. For example 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new person. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new. And God has made all things new, and reconciled us to himself, and given us the ministry of reconciling others to himself.” (This is what God is calling us to.) Colossians 3:1 “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. vs 10 “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.”
He also tells us in Ephesians 4:23-24 “Now it’s time to be made new by every revelation that’s been given to you. And to be transformed as you embrace the glorious Christ-within as your new life and live in union with him.”
A New year is just on the horizon and we’ll also trust our faithful God for 2021!