weakness

Ah, New Year’s Eve — that magical night when we collectively decide that next year will be different… right after we finish this last plate of nachos and questionable champagne.

Let’s be real: NYE is less about “new beginnings” and more about “trying to stay awake until midnight without turning into a pumpkin.” Here’s the unfiltered truth about the night we all pretend to have under control.

1. The Outfit Illusion
You start the night in a glittery outfit that screams, “I’m ready for 2026!” By 11:45 p.m., you’re barefoot, your hair looks like you’ve been in a wind tunnel, and you’re clutching a coat that isn’t even yours.

2. The Resolution Roulette
Everyone’s making resolutions like they’re auditioning for a self-help book.

“I’m going to run a marathon!” (…to the fridge.)
“I’ll stop eating sugar!” (…after this cupcake.)
“I’ll be more organized!” (…once I find my phone.)

3. The Midnight Countdown Chaos
The countdown is supposed to be magical, but somehow:

The TV is on a 7-second delay.
Someone’s yelling “Happy New Year!” at 11:59.
You’re still trying to figure out where your champagne glass went.

4. The Post-Midnight Mystery
After the hugs, confetti, and awkward cheek kisses, there’s always that moment of “Now what?” Do we keep partying? Do we go home? Do we just… eat more cheese? (Spoiler: it’s always cheese.)

5. The Morning After
You wake up on January 1st with glitter in places glitter should never be, a vague memory of singing loudly in public, and the comforting thought that you have 364 more days to get your life together.

✨ Final Thought:
New Year’s Eve is like a sparkly, chaotic group project — no one really knows what’s going on, but somehow, we all pass. So here’s to another year of trying, laughing, and pretending we know the words to “Auld Lang Syne.”

The above words may certainly describe some of us. I think the last two years, I have been in bed by 10 PM only to be woken up at midnight by fireworks. “Happy New Year,” and then back to sleep.

Years ago, I gave up trying to make New Year’s resolutions. I usually broke them before January 1^st was over anyway. Most people want to improve themselves. For me, that means learning to react to people with one of the Fruits of the Spirit. The one I need most often is “self-control.” But the truth is this: I can’t really make myself better without God’s help. I ask him to help me often. For where I am weak, He is strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

This practice can make any year happier, whether it’s new or not. Happy New Year, everyone!

(Portions of this blog post were generated via AI.)

In pouring through the case file I came across a photo of the woman, we were after, and her young son. As I studied the photograph I saw he was holding a large, light blue teddy bear. The photo was old because the bear was almost as big as he was back then, but now he is much older. “That’s it!” I thought. “We’ve got her now.”

A few hours later, we were in place. The woman was hiding out in an old abandoned warehouse. She had been on the run for a few years now. She made no purchases herself or appeared in public. She had help, a support network to keep her whereabouts secret. That is until one of those with her turned against her and disclosed her location to one of my associates.

I walked up to the front of the warehouse carrying the bear. The same one her son used to have. I walked away and then we announced over a bullhorn that we had her son. A few minutes later the door to the warehouse opened and someone, other than her, reached through it and grabbed the bear. About fifteen minutes later the woman gave herself up.

This peaceful capture of a fugitive worked because we hit her where she was weak. We realized she probably struggled every day with the guilt of leaving her son behind in order to live a life of crime, and to stay hidden so she could be what she thought was free. But what kind of freedom is it to never be able to show your face in public, or hug your son?

Okay, in full disclosure, I borrowed the above plot, with a little bit of tweaking from a well written, popular TV drama on Netflix. I did so to make a couple of points:

Satan knows where you are weak, and he will do anything to attack you in that place. He does not play fair at all. His operation is completely diabolical. He hates God, and to him, you are nothing but a pawn in the battle over souls. The devil lies, steals, and cheats to build his kingdom. God uses love to build his kingdom. And He gave as well. He gave us his only Son to die for us, so we could live.
True freedom is in Christ Jesus. Having your sins forgiven, your wrong doing wiped away by the action of Jesus on the cross. You see, when your sins are forgiven there is nothing the devil can use to attack you. You don’t live with guilt, or regret. You have the word of God that can be used against the devil to resist temptation as well. But wait, there’s more! You have the power of all of heaven on your side to help fight the battle and to stand firm.

Stop the sneaky attacks of Satan once and for all. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and enter into a realm of living in freedom. Bask in the love of God and share this Truth with others, so they too can experience God, experience life the way God intended it to be.