Happy New Year filled the air the moment it rolled in. In the next few days, we will start our conversations with the greeting “Happy New Year.” But do we really have faith in what we say? Or do we say it to exchange greetings? Is this a clichéd New Year greeting, or do we really wish that person a happy New Year? As I joined many of your friends and loved ones to say Happy New Year, I want to share a few points on why we say HAPPY NEW YEAR and mean it.
Saying happy new year to someone is like spreading the aroma of God’s fragrance to others. It means we have to be intentional when we say “Happy New Year,” because you are praying God’s blessings on your hearer. That is a great responsibility. If we are going to do this effectively, there are things we, as Christians, have to do.
1. Forget the mistakes of last year. The Bible says in Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” How can these verses become realities in our lives? This is how.
There were mistakes we made last year. Make it a happy New Year by learning from these mistakes. Do not dwell on the errors. The LORD does not want us to live in the past, but to see the new things He is doing. If we do not forget the past, we cannot see properly. Moving forward is moving in the right direction. It helps us see God’s goodness clearly. God is ready to make paths in the wilderness and turn hopeless situations into miracles if we can forget the former things.
2. Be ready for fresh encounters with the LORD. There are so many encounters a Christian can have with the LORD. Paul the Apostle did not live in the past after his encounter with the LORD. He said something very profound because of this decision. He said, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:13-14.
Paul did not dwell on the fact that he was a blasphemer. He did not allow the havoc he caused the Christians to hold him back. As bad as his sins were, Jesus forgave him, and he received God’s forgiveness. He embraced God’s forgiveness and forgave himself. He was determined to move forward in the Christian race, focusing on the finish line as an athlete would. Likewise, it will be a happy New Year if we strive to move forward in our Christian race and stop beating ourselves up over the sins God has forgiven us.
3. Jesus is your lifeline, not a bonus. Stop saying nobody loves and cares for you because Jesus does. So, it is Happy New Year because you are loved by the One who loves you best. Let’s read a verse of the Bible on this: “YAHWEH, your King, is here within you, Israel; YAHWEH, your God, is inside you. He is the Warrior-Savior who takes such delight in you that it will make him leap for joy and shout with great gladness. Yes, he will soothe you with his love. He will sing over you his song of praise.” Zephaniah 3:15-17 (TPT)
Think about God singing a lullaby for you every moment. Think about when you are disappointed or lonely. You can talk to God about everything and anything. He will sing over you His song of praise. It is Happy New Year because you are loved dearly by God. Go into this New Year, and allow God to hold you close in the power of His love.