New Year activities globally are highly inflated marketing gimmicks. Whether religious or not, the new year hype reaches an insane pitch on the night of December 31, as we transition to January 1, the beginning of the new Year. But as we get ready to cross over from one year into a new year, let’s avoid the madness and move beyond the hype:
The Crossover Madness
In places (especially Africa) where Christianity is repackaged as a religion of fear, and where prophets are synonymous with profits, the so-called men of God offer the sale of the New Year to their fear-stricken members who must “sow seed” to cross-over, jump-over, fly-over, walk-over, crawl over, and all the other OVERS into the new year.
Gullible believers are told that their path to success in the New Year is dependent on how much money they cough-up or promise on the 31st night in order for the prophets of profit to give them divine “breakthroughs,” “favors,” or “anointings”—supposed victories over the demonic powers that have in the previous year held back their prosperity and happiness.
Beyond the New Year Hype
“Happy New Year” is an overrated phrase, if not, sometimes, a meaningless wish: (i) How can we wish it to anyone when HAPPINESS means different things to different people? (ii) What is really NEW about the year? Chances are we’re going to live and do the same old things.
Forget the hype, inflated expectations, and one-day wonder resolutions! The new YEAR is only new when there’s a new PERSON—one with a new spirit and a new set of values.
“Happy New Year” should not be a wish; it must be a will. Not a change on a calendar date, but a change from within. Not a new year, but a new YOU! “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17; Matthew 5:1-10).
Is it “Happy New Year!” yet for you? It starts with being a better version of yourself. Happy New YOU!—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim
© Samuel Koranteng-Pipim: Permission is granted to share thought nuggets and/or pertinent quotes from the nuggets. Users of both nuggets and/or quotes must acknowledge Samuel Koranteng-Pipim as the author and give the appropriate EAGLESonline link as the source.
SAMUEL KORANTENG-PIPIM,PH.D. , is a US-based Ghanaian author, inspirational speaker, leadership trainer, and an advocate for youth empowerment. He was trained in engineering and systematic theology, and has authored more than twenty books. They include his bestselling works Hope Through the Dark, Six More Chances, Healed Wounds but Ugly Scars, and Patience in the Midst of Trials and Afflictions. Dr. Pipim currently directs two Centers for Leadership Development known as EAGLES (Empowerment & Advisory Group for Leadership, Excellence, & Service) and ANANSE (African Network & Advisory for Needed Services & Excellence). www.EAGLESonline.org. He also serves as a special consultant on Bible projects for Remnant Publications. 