New Year, New Possibilities, New Life

by The Rev. Kate Atkinson

Every time we hang up a new calendar, we’re full of anticipation and curiosity about what the new year might have in store for us.     Because we’ve had plenty of life experience between us, we know that there will be some challenging times over the next 12 months, but somehow that doesn’t seem to stop us feeling optimistic in this fresh new month of January.  So many people have said to me, “This is going to be a good year; I just know it!” And of course, there are others who say, “2015 is definitely going to be better than 2014 – because it couldn’t possibly be any worse!”

Central to our acceptance of God’s love for us, is an understanding of the perfect balance of God’s plan for the world – and for the creatures that inhabit it.  There cannot be birth without death; there cannot be planting without harvesting; there cannot be sorrow without joy. 

As 2015 begins, it’s not surprising that we’re preoccupied with the future.  We want to be sure that we use this new year wisely and productively.  Maybe we want to change some things about ourselves, maybe we want to take a fresh look at a job situation or a relationship that needs attention.  Maybe we want to give up a habit that’s threatening to take control of our lives.  But the problem with New Year’s Resolutions is that they can end up making us feel like a failure. 

The first step in planning and creating a new life for ourselves, is accepting that God has chosen to bring us into an amazing, dynamic relationship that has existed since time began.  We are God’s children, heirs of God’s kingdom, sisters and brothers of Christ Jesus, genetically programmed by God’s energizing, inspiring and creative Spirit. 

When we accept the truth of that relationship, we suddenly find it possible to allow God to guide our thoughts and help them flow into plans and achievements; we find that our prayer life is richer and that we’re growing in understanding of God at work in our life; we even find that we’re better able to regulate our stormy emotions so that we can sustain positive relationships with one another and with God.

More than anything else, as we step out into 2015 and all its promise, it is important to concentrate on bringing that dynamic, divine relationship into the reality of our daily lives. 

I pray that you will discover exciting new dimensions to your life of faith and that you will know God’s richest blessings in this new year.