Year after year we wait.
We wait for January 1st.
We wait for January 1st to come and save us. Save us from the burdens of expectations we bear, from the pains of betrayals we’ve felt, from the disappointments of failures, the needs that went unmet. We wait for January 1st to come and save us from our singleness, our broken relationships, the mundane of serving our families. We wait for January 1st to come and save us from ourselves.
We tell ourselves that “Come January first I will start to do the things that’ll make me feel happy, motivated, secure, alive! And oh, how I hate the consequences of my bad choices. But come January 1st I will be set free. New Year, New Me! surely, come January 1st, my life will change.”
And year after year we wait. We wait for January 1st to come and save us…
from waiting.
But the answer to our desperate desire for change does not rest on a date; it rests on a person. The hope of the world and the hope for our lives is found in Jesus Christ, not on January 1st. And the beautiful thing about Jesus is that he is not waiting for January 1st before he changes our lives. He is not waiting for a special date and time in the future before he makes us new. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever; ever present and ever ready to save whosoever will repent and put their trust in Him,
His word says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” -2 Corinthians 6:2 ESV
And again He says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
Maybe you started the year strong and are still right on plan. But understand that unforeseen events may happen that are beyond your strategic planning to stop, and beyond your power and might to save yourself from, and you will need Jesus. Maybe you already blew it for this year and are tempted to hide your head yet again and wait for next year. Don’t! You don’t have to wait for next Monday, or your next birthday, or next January. Christ is here now with mercy. His steadfast love never ceases and his mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning because He is faithful. [Lamentations 3:22-23]
What good news that the Mercies of the Lord are not waiting for your next anniversary, family vacation, career promotion, birthday, new year, or whatever date you believe will change your life. Besides, many people who started this year will not live long enough to see the next date they have planned. But God’s mercy to save is available today. He is speaking and wooing and convicting hearts today so that he will change us into His likeness and fill us with his joy. So today if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart and do not hold off your response for next January.
