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Published Sunday, January 01, 2012

Making New Year new

Last night, when the clock struck 12, many must have smiled, and exclaimed one to the other, "Well we made another one! Happy New Year! It is Jan. 1, 2012!"

Still, we would do well to realize a new year doesn't necessarily become new just because we change calendars.

All things considered, when it comes to New Year's resolutions, I imagine that, by necessity in these times, many are like Mark Twain, who said, "I resolve that I am going to live within my income this year, even if I have to borrow money to do it."

And yet, Revelation 21:5 says: "And He who sat upon the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.'" One way this can happen is by understanding what we cannot do and what God can do.

Even though we are weak, God is strong. President Woodrow Wilson, a man of great faith, in a particularly difficult time for our country, said: "I do not despair as I look to the future. That we shall prevail and triumph is as certain as God reigns."

We need that kind of faith to equip us for the challenges facing us in today's world.

Dean Swift, a famous English clergyman, returned to London from a vacation. He glanced at his watch and saw that he had only five minutes to go a long distance out in the suburbs where he was to officiate at a large wedding.

He knew he couldn't quite make it, but not wanting to be any later than possible, he ran from the train, threw his suitcase into the back seat of a cab and yelled to the driver: "Drive as fast as you can."

They took off, and after several miles, he shouted to the driver: "Are we almost there?"

"Almost where?" the driver asked.

"You didn't say where we were going."

Knowing where you're going in this new year and how you are going to get there is very important.

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