Dear Family and Friends,

It’s that time of year when many of us reflect on ways to correct or improve ourselves. Have you thought about your new year’s resolution for next year?

After having done this for many years, I decided to try something new – spend my time wondering why my resolutions only last a month…

Have you ever heard the Japanese term – Osoji? I vaguely remember my parents practicing osoji but had no idea what they were doing or why.

Osoji is an ancient Japanese tradition known as The Great Cleaning. This practice of deep cleaning and decluttering started before the 10th century in the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, and over the centuries extended to temples, shrines, homes and workplaces. 

Osoji takes place in December of each year in anticipation of the new year. Its purpose: To welcome in the new year in an orderly manner by cleaning and clearing out what is no longer needed. Thus giving clarity to the mind so new horizons can be welcomed and new goals and objectives set.

With this in mind, perhaps we can do a little osoji – of  our minds and hearts as we make resolutions for the coming year.

What are we cleaning out?

Regrets – from poor decisions, unfortunate circumstances, and sins might be a good place to start. It’s hard to go through a whole year without accumulating regrets.

How often are we the victims of unfortunate circumstances or poor decisions? Do you find yourself wishing for what could have been?

It may be an aging thing but I’ve become more attuned to how often I sin. For example, it’s gotten awfully hard to love my neighbors. But that’s no excuse, and I regret the sins that keep piling up.

I doubt Paul knew about osoji but he certainly understood the concept. He understood that to move forward, one has to stop facing backwards.

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Since our regrets serve no useful purpose once we’ve learned the life lesson, how can we forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead?

Let’s look at two heroes of the Bible for ideas.

Joseph could have turned into a sulking bitter man after his brothers sold him into slavery. Not many would blame him if he did.

And when they showed up in Egypt, Joseph could easily have taken revenge.

But he didn’t.

“Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come close to me.’ When they had done so, he said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.’”  ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭45‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How was Joseph able to move on?

Joseph trusted the Lord. And discerned that God had bigger plans for him.

Let’s now look at what David did and said after learning the Lord had taken his son’s life as punishment for his sin.

“Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.

His attendants asked him, ‘Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!’

He answered, ‘While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.’”  2 Samuel‬ 12‬:‭20‬-‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Most, if not all, of us can’t imagine the pain of losing a child. A close friend once confided that nothing in life was as hard as having to bury one’s son.

So how was David able to move forward? Did you notice David saying, “I will go to him,” meaning his child?

Like Joseph, David trusted the Lord. And trusted that he would be with his son again one day.

Both Joseph and David cleared their hearts of regrets. Joseph let go of his circumstances and desire for revenge and trusted in the Lord instead.

David repented of his sins. Then he let go of his regrets and trusted in the Lord. And in verse 24, the Lord gave David and Bathsheba a second son, Solomon, whom the Lord named Jedidiah (loved by the Lord).

As we settle into the new year, let’s follow the lead of our Biblical heroes.

Let’s take some time to osoji our hearts and minds and turn our regrets, poor decisions, unfortunate circumstances and sins over to Jesus.

And make room for what God has in store for us so that 2024 can truly be a New New Year!

In love always,