I don’t remember what it was I did yesterday, but I think it was picking up something heavy. Anyway, I remember when I did it, I thought, Oh! That doesn’t feel right. And sure enough, I woke up this morning with a stabbing pain in my lower back. It’s not so bad that it’s inhibiting too much movement, but it does make bending over uncomfortable. Some time on a heating pad, pain medicine, and a muscle relaxer should take care of the issue. I just need to take it easy today. Thankfully, I don’t have to return to work until Thursday. The only thing I really need to do today is do some work on my class that starts next week.
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.
— Isaiah 43:18-19
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
—2 Corinthians 5:17
As the final days of the year slip away and we prepare to welcome a new year, we stand at a crossroads of endings and beginnings. The old year, with its triumphs and struggles, is behind us. The new year, full of hope and uncertainty, stretches before us like a blank canvas. This year, for many of us, the coming year and the four to follow are probably fraught with more uncertainty than hope with the inauguration of the new administration in three weeks. However, we will not dwell on that today. Instead, I want to look at the transformation from endings to beginnings. This transition offers us a sacred opportunity to reflect, release, and renew. It is a chance to let go of what no longer serves us and embrace the new things God is doing in our lives. Let us consider how God works through endings and beginnings, transforming both into opportunities for growth, grace, and hope.
The closing of a year naturally invites reflection. We look back at the milestones, the unexpected turns, and the lessons learned. Reflection is a holy act—it allows us to recognize God’s faithfulness in the joys and in the challenges. But God also calls us to release the past. In Isaiah 43:18, God says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” This doesn’t mean ignoring what has happened, but rather choosing not to let past mistakes, failures, or even successes define us. What do you need to leave behind as the old as 2024 comes to a close? Perhaps it’s a lingering hurt, an old habit, or a missed opportunity. Just as God’s mercies are new every morning, He offers us the freedom to begin again.
Forgiving others and ourselves is key to moving forward. Just as Christ forgave us, we are called to release the burden of grudges and regrets. In doing so, we open our hearts to the newness God has in store. Over and over again, God calls us to forgive others. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says in Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Forgiveness is not optional in the Christian life. It reflects the forgiveness we have received from God. Paul tells us in Colossians 3:13, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Just as God forgives us freely, we are called to extend that same grace to others. When Jesus was challenged by the chief priests in Mark 11:25, He says, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. Forgiveness clears the way for reconciliation with God and others.
The new year is a reminder that God is always at work, creating and renewing. In Isaiah 43:19, God declares, “See, I am doing a new thing!” God is a God of new beginnings, offering us fresh starts not just once a year but every single day. What “new thing” is God calling you to? Perhaps it’s a new season in your relationships, a deeper commitment to your faith, or a step into the unknown. God makes a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland—He specializes in creating possibilities where none seemed to exist. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul reminds us that “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This means our past doesn’t define us. Our mistakes don’t have the final say. God’s grace transforms us from the inside out, enabling us to live with purpose and joy.
The transition between the old and the new is not always smooth. There may be uncertainty, hesitation, or fear. But as people of faith, we trust that God is with us in the in-between spaces. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:11, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put aways childish things.” The new year is like a blank page, and we often worry about what will be written on it. But as believers, we can face the future with hope. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
As we step into this new beginning, here are some ways we can align our hearts with God’s plans. Dedicate the year to God. Ask for His guidance, wisdom, strength, and forgiveness. Instead of just making resolutions, focus on deepening your faith. Commit to prayer, Scripture, and acts of service. The new year may not bring immediate change, but trust that God’s work is unfolding in His perfect time. Allow God to shape you, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone. Growth often comes from challenges. As we say goodbye to the old and welcome the new, let us remember that God is the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end. He has been with us through the past year and will walk with us into the next.
I’m thankful I got to spend time with family, if only because I can tell how bad my mother’s dementia is getting. I want to be able to see her while she’s still doing relatively good, even though I can see the decline. We watched as her father slipped into dementia and that was hard enough, but this is my mama. She may have her faults, but no matter what, she’s still the woman who gave birth to me.
My father has actually been on good behavior. I still have another day to go here, so hopefully I’m not jinxing it, but he hasn’t started an argument with me over some perceived slight, which is usually what he does. If I can make it one more day, then I’ll be on my way home.
I’ll fly back to Vermont tomorrow afternoon. I’m ready to be back home with Isabella and sleeping in my own bed. I have a two hour layover in Atlanta and should arrive back in Vermont just before midnight, as long as there are no unforeseen delays. As it is, the trip back will put me getting home at about 1am Sunday morning. Tomorrow will be a long day, but I least I should be home at the end of it.
Christmas has come and gone, leaving behind memories, lessons, and perhaps a mix of emotions. Whether this Christmas was full of joy, challenges, or something in between, now is a time to reflect and recharge.
To those who spent the holiday surrounded by love and acceptance: cherish those moments and hold onto the warmth they bring. To those who faced difficult dynamics or loneliness: know that you are not alone, and brighter days are ahead.
As we move forward, let’s carry with us the spirit of the season—kindness, generosity, and hope—but also remember that it’s okay to rest, to heal, and to embrace a fresh start.
Here’s to turning the page and stepping into the new year with renewed strength and self-love. Whatever this holiday brought your way, you made it through—and that’s worth celebrating.
Take a deep breath, take care of yourself, and know that you are worthy of love and happiness. Always.
Joe
The Closet Professor 