I think back on how I spent New Years eves in the past, most were at home some were not. In 1981 I rang in the new year on an oil rig outside of Logan, Kansas. Christmas was the only time we shut down the rig. We would pull the drill pipe a couple hundred feet off the bottom of the hole, circulate the hole "clean" and shut down for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The drilling company even paid us for those 2 days. It was their way of giving us a "bonus" and the gift of family time with out thinking about going to work, companies at one time valued things like that, doesn't seem to be that way any more. So by the time New years came around we were several hundred feet into the ground. I think as the clock struck midnight and the new year came into being I don't remember thinking of it as a new start, it more felt lonely. I was 50 miles away from my wife and new born son working while they were most likely sleeping or getting diapers changed or something. Not much of a celebration.
When my wife and I were "youth ministers" we would have "lock ins" for the teenagers. We would have games, activities, devotions and such. We thought it would give young people a place to go have fun and be safe. We did enjoy it, it took alot of planning and preparation. But it never felt like a new start, we just felt tired after staying up all night.
But I do understand how the thought of a new year can be the thought of a new start. I guess it can give you a hope to look to. It gives an oppourtunity to leave the past in the past. The past year may have been fill with broken relationships, hard times, failed challenges. So when it is said a new year brings a new start, it can give us a hope for a new beginning. Maybe we can mend some broken relationships, overcome hard times , and succeed in what ever challenges come along. I guess what I am trying to say is that although I don't see it as a new start, more like a continuation of things. I can understand the "New" start point of view, a new hope for a positive outlook.
Proverbs 23:18
GOD’S WORD Translation
18There is indeed a future,and your hope will never be cut off.
So let us embrace the New Year with hope in our future, we really do not know what lies ahead, or where we may be by this time next year, so grab on to every oppourtunity with both hands and a tremendous hope.
Happy New Year!
