Time Doesn’t Heal, Jesus DOes

We entertain a whimsical fascination every year. This year it's allure has been particularly intriguing. The past nine months have been rough. 2020 has been a true valley of the shadow of death and we've faced the reality of many of our worst fears––death, racism, sickness, violence, distrust, isolation, joblessness, and more. Therefore our annual infatuation with a new year and a fresh start has found even greater audience in our hearts.

Every new year makes us promises. You can be healthier. You can be more present. You can be less impulsive. You can be more outgoing. You can take more risks. You can read more books. You can be less anxious. Generally speaking, come January we take the new year at its word and believe we can be better.

In truth, many resolutions result in positive change. To be sure the vast majority are abandoned by mid-February but by no means does this mean our impulse to grow is futile. What needs revision is our trust.

Despite the old adage time does not heal all (or any) wounds. In fact, time can make things worse. Few of our yearly aspirations dare to look headlong into the pain and woundedness and trauma from which we long to be healed. We trust time, turn the page, and just try to move on. But isn't that what we hoped in last January?

You see, time gives us a false sense of comfort through avoidance and hustle. And it's only momentary. After all time does not transform us nor can it renew our minds and hearts (see Romans 12:2).

If we're not careful, we can trust time to cover our shame and create distance from our pain. But only Jesus washes away our shame (Hebrews 10:22). Only Jesus suffers with us and overcomes our suffering (1 Peter 4:13). Only Jesus nails our grief to the cross (Colossians 2:14).

Time doesn't heal, but Jesus does.

2021 has no more power than 2020. Things may not get better as quickly or in the way that we desire. But God is with us. That's his promise when we walk through the valley of death, he will be with us and we don't have to be afraid (Psalm 23). So, consider our pain. Share your story and shame. Walk in the light with God's people, and look to Christ. In the struggle, don't entertain time's empty promises ... trust Jesus.