Friday Fight 89 - Moving inTWO the New Year

Every Friday, when I wake and pray, God places something on my heart to help me fight darkness beginning in our minds. Today is FF89.

As we approach the coming year, many of us are thinking about new things: new goals, places to visit, a long bucket list lacking check marks, or perhaps in the cycle of relationships, we suddenly want to experience something new. So what does the Bible say about new things as we embrace this calendar change?

Moving inTwo the New Year:

So often, I hear people talk about desiring a change in their lives, particularly this time of year. A new version can include anything from a new car to a different vacation destination or new relationships. Unfortunately, many people default to society's "disposable mindset," which sadly includes people and relationships. In reading this post, I am sure my purposefully incorrect grammar was detected. Nevertheless, the new year is approaching, and it is an excellent time to reflect on two "new" areas in our lives.

The first of the "inTwo the new" is the excitement that comes with any new blessing, a wedding, expanding family, a new job, or a new home, all deserving our humble gratitude. But there is another "new" that is more important than anything else, the "new" we experience through Christ. Only He can create new lives out of the brokenness from the very sin meant to destroy us. Too often, hurting people seek out new friendships rather than communicating their hurts to bring reconciliation. Yes, there are seasons for everything; sometimes, parting ways is necessary for us to heal and grow. However, the healing found in Christ also creates "new" relationships and experiences, those that live and thrive through forgiveness. In our humble surrender, the heaviness of sin no longer destroys us, but instead, we become His new creations.   

How many of us are blessed enough to say that we are in a beautiful relationship or friendship because we chose to forgive a deep wound instead of finding someone new? Only God can create new things in our hearts through His Son's sacrificial birth and death. Only in Christ can we be transformed entirely like this.   

There is nothing new with darkness. Satan uses the same lies and accusations to destroy our joy. Manipulating the truth of forgiveness and its value leaves families broken as one person believes the lie that a new life with another is better. God graciously takes everything darkness meant for our destruction and uses it for our restoration. God will restore us!

In the coming days, let's be mindful of two areas where God moves regarding new things. First, God will bring new experiences into our lives, leading us to walk in His will. Second, to be aware of the new things God is doing in our lives through Christ. For this, we must attempt to reconcile relationships instead of accepting these uncomfortable situations and allow God to create new things in our lives but with the same people. We do this by reconciling our hearts with God first.  

Too often, we believe it is easier to avoid or cut people out of our lives, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Through forgiveness and healing, we experience the newness of improved physical and mental health, deeper relationships, and higher self-esteem. So moving inTwo 2023, let's be intentional in following God's will for our lives, allowing Him to restore broken areas in our lives, regardless of how uncomfortable it may be.  

Pastor Shannon