January 15, 2016

Happy New Year! When you hear those words, you are reminded that it is a new year, and the possibility of a new start is placed at your feet. The start of a new year is always interesting. It is full of people making resolutions and plans and generally hoping for the best, but just because it is new does not mean that the old is immediately removed. Some of us had awful years last year, and nothing would make us happier than to forget about everything that happened last year. But that is just not possible. We come into the New Year carrying a lot of heavy, unwanted baggage.

So the New Year brings anxieties in two spheres: one, we are anxious for what the New Year will bring – and two, will it be more of the same we experienced in the old year?

One thing we need to remember as we move forward in this New Year is this: The love, mercy and grace of G-d for all people is the same as it was yesterday, as it is today and as it will be tomorrow and into the future. We do not know what this year will hold for any of us, but just as was true in the old year, the blessings and love of G-d for G-d’s children remain in the New Year. And one way that we can live into the knowledge of G-d’s constant love, mercy and grace and forgiveness is to learn about the limitlessness of G-d in the words of scripture. The love of G-d for G-d’s children will never change, even though our luck, health issues, our financial troubles, our work headaches, our family problems and our relationship issues may not change either. So, even if this year is more of what we experienced last year, one thing we can change is our connection with G-d. Stay with the reading, the praying, and the trust – it is one way that we have a chance to exchange our old baggage for new……….wine skins. Look it up…….

The baggage we carry into the New Year may slow our journey, and impede our steps, but G-d’s word will guide us through the journey.

Pastor Dave