I may have mentioned this before but I journal regularly. I found early in my walk with Jesus I had so many thoughts crowding into my mind I couldn’t sort them out so writing helped me figure things out. It helped a lot so I’ve continued the process over the years and have been doing it ever since. One ritual I have is I re-read my journal for the year in January. It’s a fascinating process and every year has caused me moments of wonder. Because I’m writing what I’m feeling and experiencing at the time the emotions can be raw at times and confused but with a bit of hindsight things can become clearer. I see many of my fears, so many (most really!) that never came to pass. I see examples of God’s graciousness to me, of His blessings towards me and provisions for me. It’s no wonder I enter the New Year with a full tank and wind in my sails!
But that’s only one part of the process. Once I’m done reading it I put it away and move forward. Perhaps that’s what Paul was thinking about when he reminded the church at Philippi to forget what was behind and instead push on to what lies ahead because there’s still a prize to capture (Phil.3:13-14). After a year like I’ve had that has been a very cathartic experience and one I’ve been eager to complete. Many years I’ll linger a bit in the year past, wanting to celebrate the triumphs and great memories.
Not this year!
No, this year I’m eager to move forward. As I do that, I’ve been reminded by God of a few things. The past is behind, this year, and in fact this day, is a fresh start. He encouraged the prophet Isaiah to look ahead. He told him to forget the things that have happened before and not dwell on the past. Why? Because He’s doing a new thing (Is.43:18-19a). A fresh start!
I made a lot of mistakes the past year, lots of things if I could do over I would. I’m reminded also that not only is this a fresh start but I have a fresh and clean slate. David, who knew a lot about fresh starts and clean slates meditated on this in one of his Psalms: “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Ps.103:12). What an amazing thing! So I don’t have to linger on it, be crippled by it, or fear it. I’m a new creation (2 Cor.5:17), I have the Holy Spirit guiding me (Jn.14:26) and a God who loves me (Jn.3:16). There can also be a ripple effect to this way of living. In a world where memories seem to get longer and longer and lawsuits quicker and quicker not only can this be comforting and encouraging but it should give us pause as we consider how we act towards others.
I take encouragement that He who began a good work in me will see it through to completion (Phil 1:6). That no matter what went on last year, the setbacks, the missed opportunities, the failures, God is at work in me through the Holy Spirit. I have the chance for a fresh start, because I have a fresh slate. I’m motivated and encouraged by this. I hope you are too. So here’s to the year God has given us!
