A new year always seems to present possibilities. New beginnings. A hope for better days ahead. This is especially true for this coming year after all we have been through in 2020.  Let me ask you a question? How did you face the challenges of last year? On a scale of 1 to 10, what was your level of anxiety and stress? If you rated low, let’s ask how we can better face 2021? I tell you plainly that you need to face it with Jesus. 

Imagine this next year is like taking a journey across America. Compare the journey to your life going into this new year. You are going to have to navigate through a wide variety of environments and situations.  The journey or a year can present so many different scenarios you cannot predict or control. The key to going through any year is to keep Jesus at the center. Then, there is one constant in your journey and that is Him. No matter what hits you, you will not be moved internally despite your circumstances because you know Jesus is in you and with you wherever you go and whatever you face.

And the second part of making the journey as successful as possible is to let Jesus drive the vehicle. Give Him control and trust Him to take the best route. He will be your constant companion to guide you and comfort you when the journey seems to be so long. He is there and you are not doing the journey alone.

Psalm 22:5 says when you put your trust in the Lord, you will not be disappointed. I can promise you with all certainty that if you keep your eyes on Jesus, you can face anything. Jesus is the answer in walking through life’s storms. He will either take the storm away or He will help you get through the storm. Either way as you have found out from last year, trying to handle life in your own strength or by relying on others to lead you, just doesn’t work. So many of us try to figure life out on our own, barely giving Jesus the time of day. You continue to do that, you will end up hobbling through another year and I don’t want that for you. Jesus doesn’t want that for you. He says there is a better way by putting your trust in Him and relying on Him. Let Him take the wheel and give the directions. He already knows what is ahead so let Him get you to your destination smoothly and safely.

New implies change. Jesus says to stop doing things the old ways. It is time to do things a new way, to do things Jesus’ way, the way you were created to be, filled with Him and following Him. You have to get rid of your old ways of thinking.  It will weigh you down, restrict you and you get stuck and you can’t move forward. Jesus has a better and new way for you to live and that is to face the new year with Him. Surrender and implement all His new ways and you will find is that heaviness is gone and you now can live out your days with joy, excitement, praise, and thanksgiving.

[Eph 4:22-24] “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” 

Joel Osteen says, “Inside each of us there are two people: One says, ‘I will become everything God has created me to be. I can do all things through Christ. I’m surrounded by God’s favor.’ The other says, ‘I’ll never get out of debt. I’ll never lose the weight. I’ll never break that addiction. I’ll just learn to live with it.’ One wants to stretch. The other wants to settle. You choose which person you will be.”

My prayer is that you choose to make Jesus the center of your life for the coming new year and embrace all His ways. Let Him drive the car on your journey and don’t look back. Forge ahead, be not afraid because you have the King of the universe at the wheel.

Happy New Year!!