Time For a Change


“The years teach much which the days never knew.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

bigclock-time I think the New Year’s Eve celebration could use a major upgrade. The whole drop the ball gig has never caught on with me. Does this really count as a holiday? It doesn’t have any great holiday movies or cartoons to eagerly wait for every year. Nor could you make any! “How the Grinch stole New Years” doesn’t stir up the same emotional response, He doesn’t have to steal it, I’ll gladly give it to him. As for festive music, there is none, nada. Well, maybe Auld Lang Syne, but I hardly think that qualifies as a song. Just how many people know and understand the words except for those living in the Scottish highlands? As a kid I thought people were singing “Old hanging sign” and I wasn’t sure why they wanted to remember it. Maybe if we just had one of them I could enjoy it more but there are too many of them to count. There is the Jewish New Year, the Chinese New Year, The Muslim and Ethiopian New Year. There is actually a New World Order New Year, none of which fall on the same date. Exactly when does this gig start anyway?

Now, nothing happens when the stroke of midnight occurs, its not like we shed our skin or anything (wouldn’t that be something!). Still we make a huge deal over this calendar-flipping event. We make resolutions, we try to break old bad habits and start new more positive ones. We plan, we dream, our motivation driven by the coming of a new year. Why does it matter?

In all seriousness, deep down all people need to know they can have a fresh start. That is the purpose of a new year in our lives. We need the hope the Father provides through a new year. He speaks and breathes life in the promise that it brings. He uses it to teach us the failures of the past year are nothing in comparison to what we can be in Him.

He changes our focus from the past to a brighter future, filled with the knowledge of Him. A new day, a new year, the way we measure our passage through time can either freeze us with fear or free us to move mountains.

A new year reminds us that there is purpose for our lives, helping redefine with clarity our walk with Him. It repositions our eyesight towards God’s Kingdom and off our temporal situations. This fixture of time identifies a place for us, calling us on to greater things. A starting place, a remembrance place, a launching place and a place of marking, this defines a new year for us. Speaking from this place is a declaration of trust in the new beginnings of God.

When the Father calls your name throughout this New Year; I pray that you would hear Him clearer than ever before. As He builds hope in you, stirs up faith in you and brings you closer to His heart, your new year will take on a greater dimension. There is purpose in us and purpose for us, just think what a new year this can be!

Blessings, Jay

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

P.S. I like New Years a lot more now, but I’m still holding out for a new song.

On a historical note:

AULD LANG SYNE: At least partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700's, it was first published in 1796 after Burns' death. An old Scotch tune, "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days.

LiveJournal Tags: ,,

Comments

MichaelDPerkins said…
Jay, this is really encouraging tonight. Thank you friend.
FaithBarista said…
Hi Jay! I wanted to come and say how much you've been a blessing this year, as we connected via blogging and twitter. You are an encourager, that is definitely a gift God has given you. May He continue to bless you in the new year, as you continue to point us to Him. I am looking for that new start you're talking about here. (I agree with you on the ball drop, btw). :) LOL. Hope your Christmas was fantastic!
bill (cycleguy) said…
Love the sentiments expressed here. Other than "turning over a new leaf" the New Year seems to be simply about starting over. I think your 3rd paragraph speaks to that and how important it is. Praying for a breakthrough year for you and for all God has planned.
Jay Cookingham said…
Praying for as well my friend! Thanking God for all the new friends I made this year...and II'm looking forward to all the Father has for us this New Year.
Jay Cookingham said…
Thanks Sista! I appreciate those kind words and I pray that I can live up to them. I know I have enjoyed reading your thoughts over at FB, I know it always encourage me when I do. Many blessings on the New Year to come! BTW, my Christmas was awesome!
Jay Cookingham said…
I'm glad it did Bro'...wishing you a terrific and blessed New Year! It has been great getting to know you this year, keep those scribbles coming!
Dusty Rayburn said…
A great word and sentiment... I am an old made new, not by the turning of a page or the birth of a new calendar year, but by the grace and glory of my God and King.

You have been a great source of encouragement, cheer, and chuckles this year. I look forward to continuing our fellowship as we strive through life for God.
Jay Cookingham said…
Thanks Dusty...you've been an awesome addition to my Bro-nation! Praying for a blessed New Year for you and your family!
jasonS said…
Amen and amen! Pressing on and moving forward by His grace. Thanks Jay. You bless me a thousand times over. Glad to call you a friend and a brother. :)
Jay Cookingham said…
Bless ya Bro'! Appreciate the challenges and the blessings I received from reading your blog this year. I'm so blessed that the Bro-nation extends all the way to Alaska...thanks Bro'
Tony Alicea said…
"There is purpose in us and purpose for us"

I love this! Thanks for the encouragement Jay!
Jay Cookingham said…
Thanks Tony...so do appreciate getting to know you this past few months! Wishing you a blessing filled New Year bro'

Popular Posts