A New Year, A Fresh Start

Posted on Jan 3, 2018 in General |

Just recently while organizing some things in my office I came across a book of poetry.  There was a note inside of it saying that the book was a gift from the Bishop of South Central Synod of Wisconsin. I suspect the Bishop sent it to all our synod pastors. It is a wonderful reflection on ministry by a Lutheran Pastor Gary Puckett entitled On Living in the Township of Heaven. Well written, often touching, sometimes profound, Gary writes about the ‘holy’ moments of life, the kingdom of God that can be found within the ordinary. As we begin this new year, that is our journey as well.

New Year

Put new calendars on the walls

Misdate the checks that pay the bills

Resolve to be more resolute

It’s a new year

It’s a fresh start

 

Farm out the kids

Shake out the rugs

Take out the trash

It’s a clean house

 

It’s a fresh start

Dig out the sidewalk

Fill up the birdfeeder

Watch for fresh tracks in the yard

It’s a new snow

It’s a fresh start

 

Shed an old grudge

Make a new friend

Do something everyone knows you won’t

It’s a new life

It’s a fresh start.

I think Gary touches eloquently on the holiness of the New Year and its connection to the reign of God, or rather, the township of heaven. It’s all about new beginnings. The ministry of Jesus was primarily a ministry of newness, of granting newness and new starts to people broken by their pasts. People followed Jesus because in him they discovered a God who forgave sins, and absolved weaknesses, and offered those who followed, a new life and a fresh start. Those who followed Jesus discovered that in the township of heaven every moment of every day, every step and every breath was a chance to begin again, to turn away 
from sin and to start over. And it was in this newness that they found their joy!

 

I think it was providence that led me to find that book of poetry and read through it.  Recently I was telling Amy that a part of me died when my dad passed away almost a year ago now.  I don’t quite know which part of me died but I also realize something new in me is growing and coming to life.  That’s the Good News of resurrection and the gospel.  Each day is a new start, a chance to begin again and see things with new eyes and a different perspective. It truly is a fresh start.
 

Every January as we celebrate the New Year, there is an echo of the reign of God. And, if we listen well, we will discover that echo in all of the ordinary moments that make up our lives. If we listen well, that echo will be found in even the most broken, destructive and difficult times of this new year. If we listen well, we will discover that we are living in the township of heaven, that God is walking with us and beside us, always encouraging us to forgive ourselves and others; to turn away from sin and believe in the Good News; to stand up and walk; to live a new life; to make a fresh start.  This is truly Good News!  For all of us here at BLC and for all Christians, every day carries the promise of New Year’s Day. Remember this when you become overwhelmed by the darkness of the world.  Remember this when you are disappointed by your life, your children, your spouse or your situation.  Remember this when death is at your doorstep and darkness threatens to overwhelm you.  Remember this, in the township of heaven God is always inviting us to start again!  

 

I invite you to cut out the poem and place it somewhere you will be reminded daily of the invitation that each day is a NEW YEAR and FRESH START!

Happy New Year, dear BLC friends and friends,

~PJ

 

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