A New Leaf
by Helen Field Fischer

He came to my desk with a quivering lip:
The lesson was done.
“Dear Teacher, I want a new leaf,” he said,
“I have spoiled this one.”
I took the old leaf, stained and blotted,
And gave him a new one all unspotted,
And into his sad eyes smiled,
“Do better, now, my child.”

I went to the throne with a quivering soul;
The Old Year was done.
“Dear Father, hast Thou a new leaf for me?
I have spoiled this one.”
He took the old leaf, stained and blotted,
And gave me a new one all unspotted,
And into my sad heart smiled,
“Do better, now, my child.” *

Are you ready to “turn over a new leaf”?

The harsh reality is that a new year – even a new day – is not guaranteed.  “Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1).  We do not know the day of our death nor the day that Jesus will return (1 Thessalonians 5:2).  That is why James gives this counsel: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.  For what is your life?  It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:13-14).

Yet, we all would like to “turn over a new leaf.”  We’ve all messed up; we often would like a “do-over.”  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  We desperately need “a new leaf”!

But if we are not guaranteed a new year or even a new day, is there any hope for a new leaf and the ability to discard our old one?

The Good News of the Gospel is “Yes!”  A “new leaf” – actually, a NEW LIFE – is found in Jesus Christ.  Jesus, the Son of God, died on the cross for our sins so that we might have forgiveness (receive a “new leaf”) and the gift of eternal life (a never-ending tomorrow).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  Despite our best efforts, we still struggle with sin (1 John 1:6).  “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).  As we continue to walk in the light of His Word, the blood of Jesus continues to cleanse us from sin – He continues to give us a new leaf!

“Therefore, 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).

Are you ready to “turn over a new leaf”?  Because of Jesus, you can!  And, you don’t have to wait until a new year!