The New Year’s High: What Happens When It Wears Off?
How many days into the new year does it take before the newness wears off? Psychologists suggest that the “honeymoon phase” of a relationship may last anywhere between three months until around two years. And of course, you can find many articles and books about how to renew or extend this feeling of excitement that comes from a new relationship.
Many of us get excited about the opportunity of a new year. The slate is clean. The old is gone. But we are a week into the new year, and I bet that already there is some tension building in all the improvements you had planned. Not to be negative, but it probably won’t be long before we find some aspect of our lives feeling a little chaotic. So, what do we do when the energy of new beginnings seems to be in the rearview mirror?
Genesis reminds us that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth out of a void when darkness was over the face of the deep. Chapter one of Genesis teaches us that the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters, and God spoke and said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. By the end of chapter one, God had completed six days of goodness. Each day there was something new in God’s creation that made for a completely beautiful world for mankind to enjoy with God. Then declared it all good and rested.
We don’t actually know how long Adam and Eve’s experience with the newness of their lives together with God and each other lasted. What we do know is that by chapter three, their rebellion against God’s plan changed everything for them and for us. Ever since then, the world has felt the reality of darkness and chaos and that newness doesn’t seem to last very long.
Just as with Adam and Eve, God gives us the freedom to make choices concerning how we will live. Adam and Eve’s decision to disobey God was fatal because it separated them from their connection and unity with God. You might wonder how we can make it through our difficulties and challenges this year if Adam and Eve couldn’t make it through their garden experience without destroying everything in one decision.
The bad news is that none of us can make it through our lives without sinning. But the good news is that God didn’t give up on his created beings after their fatal mistake. In fact, God immediately put a plan in place to renew and restore all that was broken at the fall of man in Genesis 3.
The ultimate good news of God’s plan resulted in the gift of his son Jesus, who came to earth, lived a sinless life, died on a cross for our sins, was buried in a tomb, rose on the third day, ascended into heaven, and is one day coming to completely restore all that was broken. We now have the gift of God’s inspired word, the Bible, where we can read and learn of God’s grand plan for all creation, including how he loves us, wants to guide us, and will be with us on every day until we see him face to face in eternity.
So do not be afraid or discouraged if early in this year you are experiencing some setbacks. Our good Father knows our weaknesses, forgives our sins, and will daily show us that his faithfulness and love are just as the scripture says: new every morning.
The honeymoon phase of every new year and new plan eventually wears off, but we can rest confidently knowing that God’s love for us never wears off. Our relationship with him can be renewed and refreshed every day. God will always keep his end of our relationship. This year, we can choose to give God some time each day where we meet him in his word and in prayer, and when we do, we might just be surprised by how many of the desires of our hearts come into reality!
Father, thank you for the new opportunities of each day and each new year. We receive today as a gift. We pray that you would lead us today, that we might love those around us. Help us to see your hand at work in us and in our current situations. Holy Spirit, lead us today, that we might show others your glory through our obedience. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Genesis 1-3 ESV
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