Gonzalez: New Year, Same God

A common catch phrase when we ring in the New Year is “New Year, New Me.” People often say that as motivation for their New Year’s resolution, or to convince others they will change in the new year. They’re going to be new people, whether that means they’ll be losing weight, travelling somewhere, giving up a bad habit, taking on a good habit, or whatever, they’ll be changed. 

It may be a cliché now because of the frequency at which people use it, and often times it is used as a joke or sarcastically, but I don’t think it’s a bad thing to say in certain contexts. For example, one of my resolutions this year is to take better care of my body. I want to eat better and exercise regularly. This is a new me than the me of last year—so, new year, new me. I also want to discipline myself to setting out time every day for time in Scripture and time in prayer. Again, different from last year—so, new me. 

While we’re in the first few weeks of the new year, and considering the ways we want to be new, it’s important to remember that although it’s a new year, it’s not a new God. 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

The ways of the world may be changing and you may be changing in the new year, but God is not. The God spoken to us by the prophets is the same God we worship today. He is unchanging and unchanged. 

The laws of God are the same yesterday, today, and forever. The promises of God are the same yesterday, today, and forever. The love of God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

So, as we make resolutions, get hair cuts, and change our lifestyles while declaring, “New Year, New Me,” let us remember that God remains the same, and let’s praise him for his steadfastness and unchanging love.

Image taken from Borivali Assembly “An Unchanging God.”