
This is a brand new day... a new start, a fresh encounter with a sense of possibilities that fills the heart with hope. I love "New Year's Day" because it brings a refreshing delight to the soul. At least it does for me.
Now there are some who see it as only the transferring of one day to another... yesterday to today. No big deal, no remarkable change, just one more cog in the machine of existence. A simple change of the calendar.
But if you watched the spectacles around the world, there were billions of people rejoicing in thousands of locations across twenty-four time zones, each celebrating the passage of last year to this. Fireworks soared into the heavens, resolutions resounded upon the lips from hearts that long for a greater sense of purpose, a deeper growth of character and a better way of living. Kisses were offered and taken, men upon their knees proposed to their delighted girlfriends as tears of joy welled and cascaded to the ground. Everything was wonderfully new!
But what of you?
Do you sense the newness of this time? Is there a re-lit hope, a spark of delight that will kindle a flame of passion into an fire of determination to step into this year with confident assurance that this will be the year you reach new heights? I hope so! For once you sense that renewal of life, you begin to believe that what lay before you is far greater than merely existing for another 365 days... what waits before you is the call of God.
With a sense of wonder an awe, you start to realize that Ephesians 2:10 is you: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Then, in great anticipation of what God will do through you, it becomes clear that Philippians 3:14 is what it takes: "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Finally, you discover that Philippians 4:13 is real: "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
Let me ask again - what about you?
How will you step into this New Year? Will you, like so many, enter it with misanthropic melancholy or will you put your feet under you, walk with courage and confidence, knowing that the Lord Jesus Christ has already gone before you to prepare opportunities that wait upon your willingness to try?
Let me encourage you to step into this New Year with steadfast determination to make it the best year ever.
In His Grace,
Michael
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