New Year, Same Mind

What happens when you put new wine in old wine skins? It ain’t pretty…

(Image: Pinterest.com)

Scripture Reference:

Matthew 9:17, Revelation 3:20, Proverbs 14:12, Psalm 121:1

What are you planning to start in 2026 after the clock strikes twelve? A new diet plan? A better job? Change your relationship status? Or finally tell that annoying pest of a friend to buzz off?

Haven’t we all said that before? Several times before? But every time that ball drops, we set a ‘new goal’ to do the things we still haven’t done, each year thinking THIS TIME will be different. THIS IS MY YEAR!

My friends, isn’t that the definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result?

A 2024 study from The Pew Research Center found that an overwhelming majority of young people (18-29) were concerned about new jobs and increased income, while older adults were worried about health and wellness.

Yet the same populations share the same mindsets, leading to the same broken promises. Old mindsets are the result of unlearned lessons and missed opportunities to make a change.

Let’s take a look at an example…

In Matthew 9:17, after healing a man’s sickness (palsy), he left for a feast at his house, where the tax collectors and sinners sat with him. When they saw this, John’s followers challenged Jesus about why the sinners and tax collectors needed to fast, but the disciples didn’t follow the same tradition (there’s that word again…tradition).

But John’s followers didn’t understand something: The sinners and tax collectors who sat with Jesus already figured that Jesus was a healer, and therefore the source of their redemption. Just like in Revelation 3:20, they spent time with him, learned from him, and ate with him, and from their devotion to him came their healing.

So, what’s the difference between that time and today? Actually, no difference when you look at it this way: in plain English, your resolutions thus far have failed because you haven’t included God in your plans.

Proverbs 14:12 tells us what happens when we think ourselves qualified to make plans apart from Christ: not only do our plans eventually die, but we also become vain in our efforts to defend them.

You see, it’s not the making of plans that’s the problem. God wants us to make plans, strategize, and set goals for the future. It’s just that…He’d really like to be INCLUDED in those plans.

Satan thrives in old mindsets, whispering lies that keep people stuck. You want to lose weight, but are still dependent on ‘comfort food.’ You need a new job, but you won’t update your resume or attend job fairs. You want to have a stable relationship, but refuse to leave your ‘sneaky link.’

You can’t have it both ways.

Either you are evolved or stuck. Either you are redeemed, or you are reprobate. God will never do a new thing in someone with an old mindset.

Lately, as part of my weight loss plan, I’ve been praying to God for the courage, strength, and endurance to make it through another workout. I am a woman over 40, fighting the same fatigue, stress, joint problems, and mental health issues common to a middle-aged adult. By man’s standard, I shouldn’t be able to do half of what God has helped me to do.

But like the sinners who sat with Jesus, I know where my healing really comes from. Knowing what I do about him, I can’t be like the rest of the world, placing my trust in supplements, vitamins, diets, doctors, or fads. NO. “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord who maketh heaven and earth.” - Psalm 121:1.

Venturing into the new year with an unchanged mind is the same as pouring new wine into an old wine bottle. Sure, it is a good idea at the time. But research has shown that the effort often fails. And with disastrous results.

This year, let’s do something new so that God can do a new thing in us… Let’s let God into our decision-making process. Let’s invite him to the old drawing board, give him control over the shape and scope of every plan. Let’s start with submission and end with dominance. Let’s remember to keep God first and put our own selfish desires last.

Let’s invite Jesus into our Happy New Year.