New Year, Same God

 

            2023 was a good year for us. We were grateful for the opportunity to find heart-healing and to settle into new routines and ways of life. We also recognize that 2023 was a hard year for others, just as other years have been hard for us. With 2019 and 2021 being particularly heart-destructive for us, it just felt nice to have an odd-numbered year that didn’t undo us entirely.

            This new year before us comes packaged with several lofty dreams. We’ll see if they come to fruition, but it’s exciting to think, from this first-day seat, that they just might. We dream of how God will use us in ministry, of enjoying (and sharing) this home God has given us, of continuing endeavors we began in the last year, and of growing even deeper in love with each other than we are today. Even writing those words makes me smile with hope.

            As we start this new year, I want to remind you (as I remind myself) of the words of Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

            I am so thankful for that. When we began 2019, with Ryan’s mom so sick and her death looming, Jesus was the same. He was the One who carried us physically through those long days and nights of caring for her. He was the One who carried us emotionally and mentally in our days, weeks, months of grief and adjustment that followed her death. He was the One who carried us spiritually when our faith was rocked and we clung to the foundation of what we had always known to be true. He grew us, sustained us, carried us, healed us, and loved us through every hard day. He brought joy in the middle of grief.

            When we began 2021 at WillowBridge and had no idea the gut-wrenching hard that would be ahead of us, Jesus was the same. He was the One who carried us physically through those long days and nights of work that never ended. He was the One who carried us emotionally and mentally when tenants challenged us, made hard decisions, and caused us to question everything we were doing as building leaders. He was the One who carried us spiritually when we found ourselves empty, depleted, and rocked again in our faith. He grew us, sustained us, carried us, healed us, and loved us through every hard day. He brought joy in the middle of confusion.

            When we began 2023, packing up one house and finishing renovations on the other, Jesus was the same. He was the One who carried us physically throughout the year as we made change after change in our life. He was the One who carried us emotionally and mentally as we healed from the griefs and heartaches of years past. He was the One who carried us spiritually as we began to step forward in service and ministry again. He grew us, sustained us, carried us, healed us, and loved us through every beautiful day – and the challenging ones mixed in. He brought joy in the middle of new beginnings.

            He was the same in every yesterday, regardless of the circumstances in front of our eyes. He is the same today, as we begin a brand new year. And He will be the same forever, whether the year ahead is full of things we enjoy or things we dread.

            None of us knows, as we embark on this year, what sits before us. We don’t know if this year will end up classified as exciting, interesting, hard, or a pure trial. But we do know that our Jesus is the same as He’s always been and that won’t change.

            Happy New Year, my friends. It is always a privilege to write for you in this space. I hope God continues to keep that door open this year. I enjoy the discipline and your friendship as you read and leave notes. Ryan and I are grateful for each of you and the friendships we’ve forged through a little blog space on the web.

            May this new year with the same God be one that grows and encourages you, regardless of the details!