As the clock chimes in the New Year, tolling the end of one season and the beginning of another…
Is it time for a new you?
New clothes?
New food?
New exercise?

Do you resolve to become better?
Or do you resolve to rely more on the one who came to make all things new?

May be you feel the last year has been a victory…
May be it was the best yet!
You’ve seen victories and you can rejoice!

May be you feel you’ve got through
‘by the skin of your teeth’
Scraped across the line, feeling jaded and confused
May be it didn’t go the way you planned
Or it seemed you rolled from one disaster to another

May be you just need to hear a kind word
Or you feel it’s all fallen apart
May be it’s just been a mixed bag
Neither good nor bad

However you arrive here…
You’ve made it through, well done!

May be you feel the pressure to make this year
Something more…
Something better…
Something profound…

May be you feel you are at the end of yourself looking out
Will someone rescue me?

Here in this moment remember
His mercy is new every morning!
It’s not just new on the high days and holidays
He is faithful to fulfil
His promise still stands

As Christmas already seems so long ago
His faithfulness is enough for you
The resounding shout is still:
God with us - Emmanuel

So if you feel knocked off course
Or you feel renewed
However you come, simply come,
Come to the water
Come and be refreshed

This is a new season
His mercy is new for this day
Don’t worry for tomorrow
Your Father knows your needs
Before you are even aware

So seek first his kingdom
Seek to live a life of love
Encourage those around you
Draw them into His story

Be at rest dear child
Your father holds you
He knows your cares
All these things - ‘the things we all worry about’
Will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:25-34