Well, Christmas 2025 is over and in several days, we will begin a new year… 2025 will be history. As we look back on the past twelve months, it seems prudent that we should remember those things that were great – as well as those things that could have been better. Our family had some challenges this year – some were health related and we also had a number of issues around the house to be dealt with. On retrospect, those were the biggest challenges we faced.
Like all homes, ours required some maintenance this year. We were fortunate that things weren’t major, but I’m sure that you understand that we were plagued with one thing after another – trees had to be removed, deck work had to be done, windows needed to be re-caulked, etc. It never ends, does it! We have always made it a point to get things done as soon as it is discovered that there is a need. It’s the only way to do things so that problems don’t mount up.
One the plus side, Janet is almost done with another year of her morning devotions and I have successfully taught another year of Bible with the Soul Sisters at church. The kids and grandchildren are all healthy and all, in all, life is good. There are things that I wish I had accomplished during the year. For example, I listen to a morning devotional each day that translates one verse in the Bible from Greek to English.
Back in my seminary days, I studied Greek for three years. But it’s one of those things that you use it or lose it. I can tell that I’m not as well versed in the language as I used to be. Each year, I try to make sure that I spend more time in the languages but I am still not pleased with my progress. So, it’s one of the things that I will continue to work on next year.
The bottom line is that no matter whether you are pleased with what you have done, or wish you had done some things differently, you have a chance to have a clean slate – a new beginning. That’s because every January 1st the old year is over and we all get a fresh start. Now, it’s expected that we will try to grow closer to Christ every year, and continuous improvement is part of that plan. I think that it is impossible to accomplish all that Jesus wants for us without His help.
Prayer should be an important part of our regimen. In fact, we should be consulting the Lord in the major decisions that we make to direct our lives – seeking the Lord’s guidance is of paramount importance. The Lord is a Lord of promises. Tonight’s verse reflects that truth. Isaiah, the Old Testament prophet, recounts the words of the Lord, in Isaiah 43:19, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” In other words, God is there to help us with our yearly improvement, and we still have several days to ponder the things that will be important to us in the new year.
My encouragement this evening is that we all get a new chance every January 1st – and that’s right around the corner. My prayer is that each year will be better than the one before and that you will each have a prosperous and healthy 2026. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…