A Fresh Start
It’s 2025 and another new year has begun, and so has the new years resolutions, at least for now. While there isn’t anything supernatural that happens between December 31st and January 1st, it is amazing what it does to the minds and hearts of humanity. The practices of trying to establish new years resolutions has been traced back some 4000 years to the area of the Babylonians, as they celebrated the beginning of their new year. Other societies and empires and people groups have continued this idea of striving to start things off right as they begin the new year. It reminds us of the reality of our depravity and brokenness as humans and the desire for something more than what the previous year offered.
In 1740, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, introduced the Covenant Renewal Service as an alternative to raucous new years celebrations. These gatherings included night watch services, hymn singing, and reflection. Over several years, New England theologian Jonathan Edwards, created a list of 70 resolutions for himself to live by, which included Overall Life, Mission, Good works, Time Management, Relationships, Suffering, Character, Spiritual Life.
The idea and desire to start your year off on the right track is by no means a bad thing, the problem however is sticking to them. On average, most news years resolutions that we start in January will only last around 18 days. Why? The simple answer is we are like sheep, easily prone to wander and stray or end up flat on our backs unable to move. As followers of Jesus, the best way we can start our year off with a fresh start is by starting fresh with Jesus. In Psalm 23:1-6, we are reminded that:
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
As sheep we easily get ourselves into sticky situations that we think we can solve and get out of by ourselves. But the truth is, the only way to start your year off well is by allowing the Good Shepherd to help you get back on your feet. When a sheep gets stuck on its back it is called a ‘cast sheep’. When this happens a sheep is unable to get itself back on its feet by itself, it's vulnerable and it will eventually die unless someone gets it back on its feet.
Spiritually speaking, thats us, and the only way we can get back on our feet is through Jesus. How does our Good Shepherd do this? He gently reminds and prompts us of our brokenness and need for help, he invites us to draw near to him and receive his help, he directs our steps on where best to go and he strengthens our resolve to press on.
By ourselves our best efforts won't get past January, but when we recognise our sheep status, turn to seek the help of our Good Shepherd and allow him to help us in whatever area of life we desire refreshment in. Then we will truly be able to start off our year on the right foot.
A fresh start to 2025 can be found with Jesus, our Good Shepherd.
Josh Duncan
Pastor
In 1740, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, introduced the Covenant Renewal Service as an alternative to raucous new years celebrations. These gatherings included night watch services, hymn singing, and reflection. Over several years, New England theologian Jonathan Edwards, created a list of 70 resolutions for himself to live by, which included Overall Life, Mission, Good works, Time Management, Relationships, Suffering, Character, Spiritual Life.
The idea and desire to start your year off on the right track is by no means a bad thing, the problem however is sticking to them. On average, most news years resolutions that we start in January will only last around 18 days. Why? The simple answer is we are like sheep, easily prone to wander and stray or end up flat on our backs unable to move. As followers of Jesus, the best way we can start our year off with a fresh start is by starting fresh with Jesus. In Psalm 23:1-6, we are reminded that:
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
As sheep we easily get ourselves into sticky situations that we think we can solve and get out of by ourselves. But the truth is, the only way to start your year off well is by allowing the Good Shepherd to help you get back on your feet. When a sheep gets stuck on its back it is called a ‘cast sheep’. When this happens a sheep is unable to get itself back on its feet by itself, it's vulnerable and it will eventually die unless someone gets it back on its feet.
Spiritually speaking, thats us, and the only way we can get back on our feet is through Jesus. How does our Good Shepherd do this? He gently reminds and prompts us of our brokenness and need for help, he invites us to draw near to him and receive his help, he directs our steps on where best to go and he strengthens our resolve to press on.
By ourselves our best efforts won't get past January, but when we recognise our sheep status, turn to seek the help of our Good Shepherd and allow him to help us in whatever area of life we desire refreshment in. Then we will truly be able to start off our year on the right foot.
A fresh start to 2025 can be found with Jesus, our Good Shepherd.
Josh Duncan
Pastor
