I remember when I was a kid, my sisters and I would watch Disney's Cinderella a lot. If you've seen it (sorry for the spoiler if you haven't), then you know that Cinderella's magic ran out at midnight. Once the clock struck, her coach turned in to a pumpkin, her horses and attendants turned back in to animals, and her dress returned to rags. In essence, she returned to where she was before the magic hit. Many of us are looking at the New Year to have the opposite effect. So many people look back with rueful glances at the year we just left in hoping that it is truly behind, and that, somehow, going from one year to another will suddenly change our current situations. Like Cinderella, when the clock strikes midnight, we're likely still in the situations we seek to escape. There's only one hope for change, and it never comes from magic or, especially, within ourselves. If all of our needs were suddenly met, yet we were not in a right relationship with Christ, it wouldn't matter if we had healthy bodies, full wallets and bank accounts, and all of our bills were paid. And that's just the thing, many of us would probably go to hell with full stomachs, and be none the wiser. Yet the Lord isn't satisfied with how things are. He could make all things right in an instant, but He knows our hearts. In John 2, people were seeking Jesus because of the signs He was performing, but He did not trust their intent, for He knew what was in the hearts of humanity: "Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man." (John 2:23-25). How many people praising Jesus yelled Crucify a few years later? The people had healed bodies, full stomachs, and yet it wasn't enough. Food, money, and health are external things. It is only when Christ takes hold of a life that change occurs, and it is only in submitting to His will that we can hear His voice. Don't look to the New Year or a change of Circumstances to save you, only Jesus can do that, and He is more than enough to do just that.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Galatians 2:16 Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
John 6:47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.
John 5:24
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
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