Same Story, Different Chapter

Ali Johnston
Jan 3
4 min read

Updated: Jan 3

A New Year Reflection

This is the first year I haven’t taken my Christmas stuff down by New Year’s Day. I’ve lingered longer as the hurry of the season raced faster than I wanted. I hoped there would be more time to press in deep, contemplating the last year as I moved into the next.

I went through the motions and the praying as I always do, I chose my words and I planned my course. I made the list that would tweak this and adjust that in my life. I methodically planned the rhythm of this new year as I have before. No matter what I do, though, this time…feels different.

I can’t recite my way out of the fact that no matter how much I “decide” what I want this year’s story to be, there are going to be things that come that I didn’t write…that I wouldn’t write.

There are going to be beautiful victories, maybe even results from the steps I’ve been practicing, the habits I have been building and the ones I want to build. I am fully aware that God will do new and amazing things, with breakthroughs and answered prayers. And I am equally aware that He will also allow unexplainable things. That tragedy and heart-ache are part of this side of heaven, and joy and pain will most likely hold the same space again. No changing of a digit on a calendar will change this fact.

I have always known this, so why do I feel different? It’s the peace that showed up with acceptance. I lowered my expectations for my ideals and raised my trust in God’s faithfulness, no matter the circumstances. Where I used to stress trying to prevent what I didn’t want, I am learning to rest in the presence of His unchanging grace. Instead of wasting energy on fear and anxiety, I am learning to rewire and reposition my heart, mind, body and soul in a posture of daily worship.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”

[Philippians 4:6-9 NKJV]

I don’t pendulum swing expecting the bad to worse anymore, instead I embrace the hope and the good, because I know He is so good. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” [James 1:17 NKJV]

I know it’s okay to hold on to the words and promises He’s made for tomorrow, and yet necessary to live content and intentional today.

I can hear the hurting heart’s lament, “It’s hard to feel full when there are still empty places. It’s hard to hope after so much disappointment. It’s hard to imagine new when the old taunts the hope deferred.” In the rewiring there is a realization that the already full places help balance out the empty spaces and our faith binds the hope so the time isn’t wasted.

There’s always going to be tension in our souls as we feel reality tug-o-war with the hopes we don’t yet see. But we can’t be afraid to turn the page by turning our heart’s, our lives, over to Him. All of the pain and hurt along with the hopes and the dreams. This year is going to be beautiful, because God makes everything beautiful in its time [Ecc. 3:11]. This year is going to be hard, because in this life there are going to be tribulations [John 16:33], but it’s going to be okay, because He has already overcome it. Therefore, we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us [Rom 8:37].

This year is part of the story that He’s been writing for His purpose and His glory, it’s just a different chapter. In this great adventure story, there is great comfort in the sameness of our God, the constancy of His nature. That no matter how the wind blows or how the story goes, there’s a good God who is unwavering. The God who stands as a Rock and a Refuge. He is a firm foundation and steady place to land.

As we plan for this year, let’s be about our Father’s business instead of this world’s busy-ness. Let’s plan for Him to move; to tear down strongholds and sin, and also restore the broken and the scarred.

For those who are taking in this moment and for those who are wondering when your moment will come, let’s pray this over our hearts today: