New Beginnings?

We were having a party to say goodbye to 2025. 

Some were pleased but others were uncertain what the future holds? 

Then the loaded question 'what is your New Year's resolution?' 

So many responses 'I decide the same resolution every year but have broken it by, one week; one month; or never even started it'. 

'I know I will fail so there is no point in trying.' 

'God knows I try but it makes me such a failure, I should have the victory without making a resolution'. 

Guilt on guilt, not a good start to a New Year.

Jesus had lived a relatively 'normal' life but as a guest at the marriage feast at Cana it was all a 'New Beginning', John 2:1-11. He was put on the spot by His Mother 'dear woman why do you involve Me, My time has not yet come.' But He responded with compassion for the couple whose wedding feast had run out of wine. How embarrasing!! His mother simply said to the servants 'do whatever He tells you to do'. She was not  put off by Jesus' words to her, she knew her Son. The men did exactly what was needed filling six stone water jars, holding twenty to thirty gallons of water to the brim. They then went to the master of ceremonies with a taster. It could have gone so wrong, imagine giving him a cup of water!!! But Mary's faith was rewarded, after all there were disciples who had been learning as new students from their Rabbi Jesus. They hadn't yet seen His daily healings, so their faith level was not sky high. Here they were just at the beginning of their new journey into the unknown. But as a result of Jesus turning all that water into top quality wine 'His disciples put their faith in Him'.

Like us, we don't know what is ahead personally, or the world around us. We cannot even guarantee another day. But we have to be prepared to draw closer and closer to Jesus today, this month and this year, by the power of His Spirit. We are so blessed as if we 'walk in the Spirit we shall not fulfill the lust (cravings) of the flesh' Galatians 5:16-18. So resolve today to chuck the resolutions and to know nothing this year but Jesus Christ and Him crucified, 1 Corinthians 2:2-5. We can focus on all He did for us on the Cross and accept 'it is finished' and walk in the power of that authority. We can be prepared for anything, by the Holy Spirit that lives in us  that same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.

So ask the question 'Jesus what do You want to say to me right now?'  Listen  'What do you want me to do?'  Obey  'What am I holding onto that is stopping me from being free?' Being a Christian is so simple, die to self and allow Christ to live His life through us.

This will be our most valuable year for eternity yet, step out and try it, one foot in front of the other.