As we come to the end of another year, it’s natural to look back at the past and think about all the ugliness that happened during that time. It’s time for a fresh start – a second chance or a do-over. In doing so, we often see the negative things that happened in the past. We focus on things we promised to change in the coming new year. We think about our declining health. We think about all the failed resolutions we made last year. We look at our world and wonder where all of the wars and descension will lead. We think about the state of our own country – the investigations of those in power – the slander – the morality taking a nose-dive. Why, why, why? We see the signs of decay within our own bodies as skin begins to age and memory fails. We see all kinds of these signs of death in the future. The end of the year is a time for us to take stock and see what we can do to make things better.

All the difficulties we faced in 2023 are not going to stop just because we’re changing a page on the calendar. Frankly, life goes on. Death will eventually come to all of us. We can’t change a thing without help of some kind. Since we are still healing from a terrible pandemic which took many lives, we’ve become more cautious about our gatherings. We continue to wear a mask from time to time. Our emotions can get in the way of improvement or moving on. We feel safer living in the cocoon we’ve built around ourselves. Like any kind of decay, it is a slow-moving process, that requires attention. 

We can look at the past and continue to wonder why. We can dwell on past mistakes or words said that can’t be retrieved. We could fall down a rabbit hole of doubt, anxiety, fear or depression, but that only leads to a place of deep confusion. Instead, if we begin with God as our guide, we can expect a great outcome. He never changes. He may seem not to hear us, but His plan is always perfect and for our good. As we look forward to 2024, let’s remember that life is going to go on – with all its challenges, fears, illnesses, decisions, growth and development. Disease will continue. Death is imminent. God is the same today as He always has been and ever will be. When we ask Him to abide with us, we can be sure that His plan is far greater than ours. He will not leave us. He will never change. His perfect love is our eternal life insurance policy. We can count on that. 

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away.
Change and decay in all around I see.
O thou who changest not, abide with me.

Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes.
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks and earth’s vain shadows flee;
in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me. 

Verses 2 & 5 of “Abide with Me,” from Lutheran Hymnary

HAPPY NEW YEAR – 2024