With New Year’s Day comes New Year’s resolutions. Over the years, mine haven’t changed much: eat better, work out more (or should I say “start working out”), and spend more time with the people I love. The third on my list is usually accomplished, but the first two usually don’t leave January with me. This year, I found myself eating Taco Bell breakfast on January 1. Who willingly chooses Taco Bell for breakfast?

If you’re anything like me, when your resolutions are ultimately broken or unsuccessful, you get down on yourself. We think that people see our shortcomings, and judgement is sure to follow. Have you ever wondered if God thinks the same way?

Well, he doesn’t. He sees our flaws, the times where we don’t quite measure up, and he still opens his arms and welcomes us. We see in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that his “power is made perfect in weakness.” The grace, mercy and love that he unconditionally laid out for you in 2017 is still there today. Through all of this year, his thoughts and unconditional love for you have not changed. It may be a new year, but he’s still the same God.

New Year’s brings this idea of new year, new me, where we put ourselves in the driver’s seat of our lives. Whether we want to admit it or not, we are going to fail. The most reassuring thing, for me anyway, is that when the phrase new year, new me ultimately fails, we hold onto this: new year, same God.

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.
— Deuteronomy 7:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
— 2 Corinthians 12:9