Reflections and Resolutions

By Danny Saavedra

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” — 1 Peter 1:3–5 (NIV)

As you look back over the last season of your life, what comes to mind? Every season is full of unique ups and downs, highs and lows, successes and failures. And sitting in reflection of what is happening in and around us, where you are in this season of life and how you got here is a powerful and necessary thing to do.

But, we shouldn’t stop there. We shouldn’t simply look back. We must also look forward, right? That’s one of the things I appreciate about New Year’s Eve. It's a time when we do both — we remember the last year and make resolutions for the new year.

For many, the idea of a new year symbolizes something more than just the end of another year — it means the dawning of new possibilities, new hopes, new ideas, and new dreams. But here’s the thing, this practice shouldn’t simply be reserved for December 31. It should be a regular rhythm in our lives.

The truth is, though, for many this is very difficult. Why? Because most people don’t know Jesus. And so, while some people eagerly look forward, most people are filled with anxiety and even dread that the next season of life will be just as hard — or worse — than the last.

But to all of us who follow Christ, the apostle Peter has a message: We have a living hope that can never die. We have received this living hope through the great mercy of God by the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ! It’s a hope we can rest in and lean on — a hope that is renewed not with every new season or year or even day — it’s a hope that is renewed with every new second we draw breath! This is why, all throughout Scripture, we see the call to remember, reflect on all God has done, and look forward with hope and expectation.

For some of us, the tragedies we’ve faced this season may be obscuring our view of this living hope. Many times, we can get stuck in the past, consumed by the circumstances that have taken place, embittered and overcome by challenges and tribulations, by all the things that are wrong with the world, by all the things that didn’t go our way, trapped in our failures, mistakes, and sins...so much so, that we become spiritually paralyzed — incapable of enjoying the abundant life Jesus came to give us and unable to live out the calling God has placed on us.

I pray this won’t be your story! I pray in seasons of difficulty, you’d remember and cling to the very next thing Peter says: “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6–7 NIV). I pray in seasons of joy, you’d remember James’ words and give thanks: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:17 NIV).

Is it always easy to do this? Definitely not. There are few things more difficult to overcome than the past. It shapes who we are today and it defines so much of our lives and the choices we make. But we can overcome it! How? By “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV).

Pause: How has your past influenced you? How has it impacted your life choices and your present standing?

Practice: Regardless of what day today is, whether you read this on New Year’s Eve or a random day, spend some time reflecting on the last few months, and then prayerfully make some resolutions for the next few months. And if you’re experiencing a particularly difficult season, please e-mail me so I can pray with and for you!

Pray: Father, today I look back on all that has happened over the last few months. There have been good moments and bad, highs and lows, successes and failures, happiness and pain, as there are in every season. Things have come and gone, shifted like sand, but the one constant in all of it is You! You, Lord, are always there with me. And that means that in everything, I know I’m blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. I know I lack nothing because You are my Shepherd, and I know I can endure all things through Christ who gives me strength and even overcome because in Christ I am more than a conqueror. Thank You, because I know as Romans 8 says, nothing can separate me from Your great love that is in Christ Jesus. Thank You, Lord. Amen.