IT IS common to mark the changing seasons throughout the year and celebrate those feasts and festivals that are relevant to our culture or faith. New Year is significant as a time to look forward with fresh optimism, new resolutions, and a renewed determination to pursue some goal or purpose in life.

Yet time itself doesn’t reset on January 1, it just keeps ticking away, moment by moment, hour by hour. As month rolls into month and year into year, time keeps going. Time will one day end for each one of us, and then what? Is it the absolute end? 'Oblivion'? If that’s the case, why make resolutions to achieve something or to change ourselves or our lifestyles in some way? What would be the point?

The scriptures tell us that we are created with the echo, or the hope, of eternity deep in our hearts. Deep down we know that death is not the end, but it’s the doorway to this unseen realm, eternity.

Jesus Christ came onto the public scene declaring that this realm is the Kingdom of Heaven, and we don’t have to wait until the end of our days but are invited to enter right now. The Christmas angels are recorded as declaring "peace on earth" and Jesus himself told his friends, "my peace I give to you."

In these days of national and international uncertainty and chaos, why not resolve that this is your year to seek for yourself the kingdom of peace that is here now, but remains a timeless reality?

Colin Greaves, Cumbria Prayer Net, Kendal