– “Old Made New” – a poem by Mike Gates
2025 ends, leaving behind what once began.
Focus ahead, giving 2026 time to mend.
Another year, another time, another place.
Overcame obstacles and detours, a life felt unsafe.
With renewed faith, running hard this race.
Rising above the hurt, a pain never thought could escape.
Moving forward redeemed, the fog has lifted, the vision clearly is seen.
The old year fades, leaving behind control, its weight now lifted, no longer to hold.
For every burden, fear, and scar, I place in hands that heals near and afar.
The things I carried far too long, the silent griefs, all the right and wrong.
I lay them down before the One, whose mercy shines like the morning sun.
For Jesus walked the full year with me,
through shadowed paths, I could not see.
He held me fast when my strength grew thin,
and breathed new life, hope to rise again.
As midnight moments already passed,
like footprints faded in tall grass.
I lift my eyes to what is ahead,
a year where faith outshines the dread.
He leads me toward a brighter way,
where grace renews each fragile day.
With each step, though small and slow,
is guided by His voice, the light I know.
And so, I crossover this threshold line,
with a heart made new by His love divine.
Into the new year, boldly to go, with Christ before me as I grow.
No fear can claim the path I tread,
no past mistake defines what is said.
For He holds tomorrow’s key,
a spoken promise, He is always with me.
I leave the past all in His hands,
and trust for the future He has always planned.
With every dawn His mercies arise,
a gift of hope that never will die.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV – 18 “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
