How to keep the newness in the new year
by Rev. Mike Mounts, Pastor of Bellview FWB Church

Just a few weeks ago my wife and I purchased our first new car since 1988. Just like anyone else, I enjoy the ride of a new car and love that new car smell. Although I don't like thinking about it, the moment we drove it off the lot it depreciated in value several thousand dollars!

But the truth is, nothing remains as fresh as the day we bought it. Everything ages and wears out. Even clothing becomes faded and threadbare. Each year millions of dollars are spent to counteract the effects of this law: maintenance, painting, medical bills, but everything ultimately in nature falls apart and disintegrates. That's why if we live merely for the moment with our focus on material things, life can become extremely depressing.

Take Solomon for instance. He consumed himself in finding pleasure and satisfaction in life. He had wealth, wisdom, and women. He had so many women that he would have made Hugh Hefner look like a Boy Scout! He built houses, beautified cities, changed wastelands into gardens, built an irrigation system, and had servants and singers.

What was his conclusion? "Vanities of vanities, all is vanity." The more he tried to use things to fillthe void in his life, the bigger the void seemingly became. What he thought would bring satisfaction and fulfillment, left nothing but emptiness and frustration. All of it was like grasping for the wind.

On the outside looking in, it appeared as though this man had it made. But Solomon wanted to let us in on the rest of the story - the real story. That's the purpose of the Book of Ecclesiastes. He didn't want us to repeat his experiences. We can avoid the heartache and pain he endured. There's no need for restlessness and dissatisfaction of life. Lasting purpose and meaning of life can be found. And in doing so, we can keep the newness in the new year. Here are seven points we can glean from Solomon:

1. God exercises His divine providence and sustaining power every day through the laws of nature, declaring His glory. Praise Him daily!

2. Contentment is not found in having what we want, but in wanting what we have.

3. Although we can't always trace God's hand, we can always trust His heart.

4. There are good things that come from God's hand for us to enjoy in this life, and to invest for the life to come.

5. This life will not fully satisfy because we were made for eternity.

6. Material things cannot fillthe spiritual void in our hearts.

7. Rather than live life "under the sun" from a human and temporary point of view, live life "under the Son" from a heavenly and eternal point of view.

Bernard Ramm wrote, "Anything less than God leaves the spirit of man thirsty, hungry, restless, frustrated, and incomplete." That's why Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." He offers new and abundant life. His mercies are new every morning. His joy and peace transcend the cares of this life. His hope is always new, energizing, spontaneous, and overflowing.Such hope leads to a continued expectancy of blessing and joy in this life and in the life to come. Such optimism and assurance are guaranteed because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! (1 Pet. 1:3).