May is a month of change. The weather starts to warm up, the grass turns green, the leaves return, and signs of life return as the last signs of winter disappear. May also brings a close to another school year as students pack their bags and head home for the summer.
Big changes occur throughout our lives, and whether they are the ending of a school year, a change in career, or even the addition of a family member, these things cause us to look back as well as ahead. This is important for us to do in our lives as Christians as well. Paul writes to the Corinthians and says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
As Christians, we look back and see our sin. We see all our actions that have caused sadness or hurt in our lives or in the lives of those we love. But through the blessing of the Gospel, we also look back at the good news of our Savior, who took our sin upon Himself to redeem us. We see that someone has paid for every evil deed we’ve done and given us the credit for His perfect life. When faith is created within our heart, our old sinful nature is drowned and buried with Christ. What rises up then is the new creation, made to serve our Lord. What a change this is within us! We look ahead with a clean slate, a clear conscience, knowing that God sees us as innocent since we wear the righteousness of Jesus Christ. We look ahead to ways we can serve Him out of love and thankfulness for the grace and mercy He has shown us.
Change can be scary. It is leaving the comfort of the familiar for the opportunity of the unknown. In all things, Christ is our rock and our foundation. Through all the changes and uncertainty that this life throws our way, we know that God has given us something that will never change- His perfect, Holy Word. We rest in His promises knowing that He will guide us and protect us whatever may come our way, and that He will work through every situation to bring us closer to Him. What a blessing it is to be able to bring this message of peace and joy to a world that needs it so desperately! How blessed we are to stand on such a firm foundation upon which we build our lives. May God, through His Word and Sacrament, continue to strengthen us in our faith and joy as we look back at how He has kept His promises, and as we look ahead to His continued faithfulness!