On the bridge of 2022/2023, think on what the new year may hold

“Greeting cards have all been sent; the Christmas rush is through,” or so sang The Carpenters back in 1978. I don’t know about you, but for me the Christmas holidays were a bit of a whirlwind, a blur.

But regardless of our personal experience or outlook, here we are between Christmas and New Year's Days. And as we stand at the bridge from 2022 to 2023, let us consider the fact God can make all things new; even the things that seem impossible for humans to change.

First of all, I would refer to Revelation 21:1-5 (NIV). God Himself will make a complete change to the Earth and all of creation – when He deems it right. For us as humans, that’s the hard part – being patient for God to act when we feel it needs to change now! We can also lean into waiting for God to act, and accepting His timing, by being part of His larger family. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) tells us: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” The newness of having life in Jesus Christ includes a new outlook on life; a new view of the world in which we live.

I’ve never been one to push hard personally on New Year's resolutions. But, I do try to take time to assess the events of the past year, and do some thinking/planning for the new year. I can truly attest God has shown me the beauty and grace of newness this past year. I lost a wife to cancer in 2021, but will be marrying a wonderful lady in January.

I’ve still struggled with grief and loss in 2021-2022, but 2022-2023 has brought me the reminder of God’s grace and love through bringing me new human love in this past year. And I look forward to that love growing as I continue to heal and move on – with the newness that God has given me.

'Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you'

You may be thinking, “Yeah, that works for you; God doesn’t care about me.” I respectfully beg to differ. 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) reminds us “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Now I must add, new life in Jesus is not always a bed of roses. We will still face earthly dilemmas. There will still be tragedies and loss. There will still be hard times, depressing events, grief and sadness. However, leaning on God’s care gives us something to not only hold us up. It also helps us change, grow and become what He wants us to be; it does not leave us where this old world wants us to wallow.

So, as we cross that bridge from 2022 to 2023, let’s consider what lies ahead. We can opt to face it by ourselves, “tough it out,” gut through it alone. Or we can seek life with Jesus, to face this world with newness that only He can give.

Reid Firestone is lead chaplain for the Ashland City Police Department.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Column: As 2023 approaches, remember that God can make all things new