New Year, Same Goal

It's January again.

Seems like just yesterday, I was starting the 2012  folders on my laptop, the 2012 diary, thinking through all the things that might happen in the new year, making plans, setting goals.

And now the year is over.

Time to do it all again. 

 

As I look over the goals I wrote down a year ago, one in particular stands out to me: “Grow closer to God and become more like Him.”

I think through everything that happened in 2012.

All the times God challenged me to take a step of faith.

All the times He answered prayer....whether it was what I expected or not.

All the times He sent me a little blessing that I wasn't expecting.

All the times I failed him and He forgave me.

All the little lessons He taught me using 'mundane' things.

All the times I had a glimpse of His glory and power even in this sin-filled world.

And I realize that though I might feel that I failed Him over and over again,

He still used me, still cared for me, still taught me,

and still drew me nearer Himself.

I wouldn't change a moment of it.

Maybe this year didn't turn out the way I wanted it to.

But in it I learned more about my Lord,

and slowly but surely I'm becoming more like Him.

Now I face a new year.

New challenges, new lessons, new experiences.

God will stretch me, test me, grow me.

And I look forward to what this year holds.

Even though it's a new year--a time of new goals, resolutions, and fresh starts--I'll have the same goal I have every year.

Because each year that goes by, I want to reflect God more.

A New Year...

A "new year" can be a "clean slate, " a "fresh start." Maybe that's why everyone gets so excited. Maybe sometimes we think that it's our chance- a rare chance that only comes around every 365 days.

But is this really the only chance we have for a whole 365 days?

While there is something different about the first day of a new year, and while it is a good opportunity to set resolutions, it's not the only time we get a fresh start. At least, that's not how it is with God.

Lamentations 3:22-24
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

God's mercies are new every morning. We don't have to wait to make new resolutions, or to stand back up from our failures. Through Christ, you can do that any day of the year. So, why get so excited about it? Here's why:

This whole cycle of "newness" is uncommonly common. 

Sounds weird at first, but think about it. Is it every day that you come across a God that loves you so much that He's willing to clear the slate of everything you've done to him, including crucifying His only Son?

Well, (hehe) it is every day! But it's uncommonly common in that all those other false gods are not so willing to clear the slate. However, our one, true God loves us plenty to do that!

Now this calls for celebration!