New year, new mercies.

Happy New Year to you all! We made it into 2022 and that in itself is a miracle and testament of the faithfulness of our God. 2021 is now behind us and 2022 is in our now and our future.

As I was thinking about what I want to see happen in 2022, I realized that I was looking at some things through the lens of what happened in 2021. 2021 was in effect obstructing my view of what could be in 2022. We can’t let what happened in 2021 hold us back from what God has planned for us in 2022. We need fresh eyes to see what God is doing in the new year.

Lamentations 3:22-24 says, “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.  Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!””

As we begin 2022, its like a new morning has just begun. Where everything else is behind us and God’s mercies for us begin afresh. We get another chance not to prove ourselves to God or anyone else for that matter. But another chance to hope in God. Another chance to trust in Him and put our faith in Him afresh. That the same God who sustained us, provided for us, made ways for us, kept His promises to us in 2021 is the same God leading us into our future. He hasn’t changed.

Because we don’t get amnesia on 1 January of each new year such that we forget everything that happened the year prior, it is easy to drag last years disappointments, hurts, frustrations and trauma into 2022. The Apostle Paul told us that as Christians we are to live life forwards not backwards. He said in Philippians 3:13, “I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead.”

For us to fully embrace God’s fresh mercies, we need to be able to release the old, leave it behind and fasten our hearts to the future instead. I don’t know what your 2021 looked like, but whatever happened in 2021, we can’t change it. However, we can work with God towards building a brighter and better 2022. Proverbs 4:18 says, “But the lovers of God walk on the highway of light, and their way shines brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” Your path is getting brighter with each step you take with Papa God.

Whatever comes in 2022 may we find ourselves drawing closer and closer to God and not pulling away from Him. He is good and He is faithful. Last year we talked a lot about His goodness and His faithfulness and trusting in Him. This year I pray that we all walk in that revelation. That God is good, faithful and can be trusted.

Love and blessings

Melissa Tsingano.