Day 7: New Year, New You
Most people love New Year’s. The idea of something new, fresh, and opportune is something we long for. We hope that with a new year comes a new life, a new start, and really a new us. We long for things to be better. We want a fresh canvas to paint our life on. But there’s a problem with that. A canvas does not guarantee a better piece of art. Why? Because a new canvas does not change the painter. It may give a painter excitement or vision or wonder or fear or hope. But it does not actually change the artist. And in the same way, while a new year may be a fresh canvas to draw on, it does not guarantee that the picture will be any better come the next December 31. A new year does not guarantee a new you.
As much as I want to accomplish and as much as I want to be, January 1 is really no different than December 31. 2018 is no different than 2017 or 2016 or 1996. The clock striking 12 may have changed the page on the calendar, but it certainly did not change me. We don’t really change overnight. That’s frustrating, but maybe that’s a good thing.
One of the many things that the Scripture reveals about God is that he is very patient. He makes things with care. He molds them. He transforms them. He prunes them. He identifies himself as a potter, vinedresser, and architect for a reason. One of the things that this shows is that God is not in a hurry. He is not into quick fixes. He does not speedily speak man into existence but fashions man from the dust of the earth. He does not get worked up trying to quickly save us, but patiently sanctifies us. He does not try to win converts but calls for people to be disciples. God is not so interested in changing us in a moment, but over a lifetime.
While New Year’s makes me want a new me right away, God is more into the process of making me new. While I wish God was more like me in how he operates, he’s not. While I wish he would change me overnight, he doesn’t. But maybe there’s something good about that. Maybe his ways and thoughts are better than mine. He’s not in a hurry. He’s not freaked out. So why not spend the rest of the year joining him in the slow process of making you new?
Read 2 Peter 3:9
Question to Consider:
How can I patiently participate in God molding me?
Prayer
Jesus, thanks for working in me. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that you know better and that you care more. Thank you for being faithful to complete the work that you started.
By Christian Dawson, Campus Pastor