You can be sure who you are in 2023!
“So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” (Galatians 4:7)
As we begin another year, people often have expectations, plans or ideas of what they want to be or do in the new year. Lose weight. Eat healthier. Find a new hobby. These are just a few things which people might consider as we begin 2023. Very often people have such plans or ideas because they are not happy with who they are or how things are going in their lives.
Reread our verse and notice that there is one aspect of our lives as children of God which we can always be confident about and happy with – exactly that-that we are a child of God. We may not like our weight, appearance, job or some other aspect of our lives, but that never changes our standing as a child of God and an heir of heaven.
Remind yourself of what that means for you as you enter a new year. Even if there is uncertainty about things in the world, you are 100 percent sure that God is in control, and he will take care of you as his child. If your bank account might seem a little light or you are facing health or family challenges, you can remain totally confident that as a child of God he will give you all you need for 2023 and so much more.
You might be hesitant about 2023 because you are bothered that your life in 2022 didn’t exactly reflect your standing as a child of God. Remember what your baptism assures you – your standing as a child of God is not dependent on you, but on God’s promises which never fail. Those promises assure you that God has forgiven all the blemishes you left in 2022 and he will give you strength to live as his child in 2023.
So often when we read or consider this verse, we focus our attention on the child of God portion and tend to forget about the heir of heaven phrase at the end. As we look ahead to the new year, we can take a moment to remember those in our lives who have gone home to heaven, perhaps rather unexpectedly.
We often think of that as a loss. Paul’s words remind us instead that those who have gone to heaven before us in faith have instead gained what we can only look forward to – an indescribable, perfect inheritance free from all the worries and concerns which we are likely to carry into 2023.
While we don’t know what we face or what will unfold in 2023, we know that we still have the one status which matters – child of God and the blessings and promises which come with that status. With that, you know for certain who you are and stand ready to face 2023 and whatever may happen. Have a blessed New Year as you live as a child of God!
Prayer: Gracious God, while a thousand years is like a day in your sight, we live in time and begin a new year. As we begin 2023, remind us that we are your children and assure us of all the blessings and promises that are given to us. When we fail to live as or remember that we are your children, lift us up to live as your children and help us remember the perfect inheritance we have waiting for us. We ask your blessing for all we think, say and do in 2023. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.