What does a new year bring to you? Does it bring hope? Does it bring a renewed commitment to striving to improve your life? Do you have big plans for the coming year? Are you moving? Is there a new job on the horizon? Will you seek the light of Jesus this year?
For many of us, a new year brings a renewed hope and renewed energy to be better and to do better. Unfortunately, many will lose both their hope and energy within a few days. Why? They rely on personal will power rather than the One who grants us endless hope and energy.
When God created the heavens and the earth, he started will a blank canvas. There was nothing. He created matter. He created the very first living cell. He created the first drop of water. But the first thing he did was create light to dispel the darkness. He separated light from dark, creating day and night.
When we look at the first few verses of John 1, we see that Jesus is the light of the world. How appropriate that Genesis starts with God creating light and John starts by declaring Jesus is the light of the world. Spend a few moments thinking about that. Just as God started creation, Jesus brings a new creation. He brings a new covenant. He is the new beginning.
As we start a new year, perhaps we make a new beginning by committing or recommitting to follow Jesus. Wouldn’t be nice to have light in your life? I want light in my life. Jesus is the light we all need. He enlightens us with His Spirit. He lights our path as we travel through the darkness of this world. And He has promised to never leave us.
We can have the eternal light in our lives. We simply need to commit to following Jesus. By laying down our lives for Him, He becomes our life. We never have to walk in darkness again. We can confidently go through life knowing Jesus is with us every step of the way.
I pray we all commit or recommit to following Jesus. I pray we accept the light of Jesus into our lives. I pray each one of us will walk in the Light, never having to walk in darkness again. Commit to Jesus. Recommit to Jesus. Walk in the Light. Leave the darkness behind.
Genesis 1:1-3 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
Marty Pressey 