Hope for the New Year

Posted on Jan 3, 2012 in Life Purpose | 1 comment

Today marks the dawn of a new year.  For many people this time is always exciting as you begin to think of the possibilities that a new year holds; the idea of a fresh start to finally lose that extra weight, to spend more time with your family or to pick back up a long-lost hobby that always seems to be put on the backburner.  I love the promise of a new beginning, a fresh start and a second chance.

The beginning of a new year always reminds me that we serve a God of new beginnings, a Lord of second chances and a Savior who resurrected.  Revelation 21:5-6 says, “And He who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’”  God is “making all things new,” because He is a God of second chances.  He is a God who can restore marriages, redeem hopeless situations and gives us purpose to walk through life confidently and boldly.

Another year gone by is also a reminder that we don’t have unlimited time on this earth.  We get one shot, one chance to make a difference.  You don’t have to set goals to change the world because like Mother Teresa said, “not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”

I heard a powerful story told by David Roper that he shared in a sermon 32 years ago.  Listen to his words:

“I was walking across the Stanford campus a few weeks back and I saw a birdbath under a bush. The bush covered it so I could hardly see it. It was a very unusual birdbath. I usually don’t pay much attention to birdbaths. I’m not a bird and I didn’t particularly need a bath. The thing that struck me about this birdbath was that it was very ornate, carved from one piece of marble, a very delicate and lovely work of art. It had a slender fluted column and a little carved basin on the top.

Some of you may have seen it. Obviously its construction had required a lot of work. Someone had invested months in that little project. But this unusual and lovely object had fallen into disuse. The bowl was full of stagnant water. Even the birds had abandoned it and the gardeners had allowed it to become overgrown with bushes. I went away from that encounter thinking about the man who had made it–the hours, the effort, dedication, and energy he had invested in that forgotten, useless birdbath. And as I walked away I asked from my heart, “‘Please, Lord, don’t let me make birdbaths. Don’t let me invest my life where it does not count and spend my time and energy on enterprises that are valueless in your eyes.’” [1]

There are many birdbaths in my life- all the trifling activities that steal my energy and ultimately my joy.  All the things I do that might be good but prevent me from doing the best.  We may have failed in the past but God is continually making all things new.  He delights to take that which seems hopeless, dead and beyond repair, and give it new life, new hope, new purpose.

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[1] http://ldolphin.org/roper/single/0354.html