New Starts Today and Everyday

There’s something enticing about the New Year’s holiday, isn’t there? Who isn’t tempted by the promise of a new start, particularly when looking back on a time when you’ve maybe seen more pain than sunshine? I’ll admit, I’m a fan, as well. The feeling of setting new goals and having a fresh chance to make things better is just so appealing to me. Something about this holiday just calls out to my basic human nature and encourages me to let go and look ahead.

Want to know something exciting? We can have that feeling all the time, and not just on New Year’s Eve/Day. How, you ask? Let’s take a look at the Bible:

“Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

– Lamentations 3:22, 23

Every day is a chance for you to begin again. You don’t have to wait for the funny hats and noise makers to come out on December 31. No mater what the calendar reads, you can start anew. There’s nothing wrong with making the obligatory New Year’s resolutions (yes, I have some, and yes, it may include introducing pilates into my lifestyle), but the good news is that you don’t need a holiday that comes around only once a year in order to make a new start.

If you’re in a place where you want to move on and feel trapped or limited by the things you’ve done in your past, look to God. He offers you a chance to start new by extending you His incredible mercy. It’s a gift, plain and simple. We don’t have to try to earn it (we couldn’t do that anyway), and it’s given to us freely. How’s that for a New Year’s present?

Happy New Year, my friends! I pray that today and everyday, you take a moment to marvel in God’s great gift of mercy. Start anew! It’s as easy as saying a prayer of thanks and petition. See you in 2012!