The coming of a New Year is a chance for us all to do a little reflection on our lives and see if there aren’t some things that need to change. In theological language, we have a word for this process: it’s called repentance. Repentance is different than regret. Regret is looking back and saying, “Ooh, I wish that would have never happened.” To repent is not just to be sorry for something, but to be sorry enough to do something about it.
It’s like a cartoon I saw once that showed a little George Washington standing with an axe in his hand over the famous cherry tree. In the cartoon, he has already made his confession – after all, he “cannot tell a lie.” But his exasperated father is saying, “All right, so you admit it! You always admit it! The question is, when are you going to stop doing it?!”
The question for us, as we start a new year, is not whether we are sorry for our past mistakes and sins (although that is a good start) – but rather, whether we are ready to head in a new direction.
Join us in worship this weekend as we begin a New Year with God as our guide.