A new year. 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days. It feels like a fresh slate, a horizon of possibilities spreading out before us. But it is just another day. No magic to it, or much different from the day before.

There is nothing more special about New Year’s Day than any other day. Each morning we get to open our eyes and breathe is another new chance. We receive a new opportunity to be better than yesterday and learn how to live out Jesus’ example and love others well.

Will we do it perfectly? No. Does that mean we don’t try? God forbid!

There is an old hymn that goes like this;

I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.

Once we invite Jesus into our life as Lord and Saviour, there is no other way to go but forward. If we don’t move forward in our understanding of the LORD and ourselves, we become stagnant and smelly, like dirty old socks tossed in a corner. We may not notice the socks but we know there is something wrong with the air we are breathing.

If we don’t follow the example of Jesus in obedience to the Father and learning to love others as He did, we lose our sense of joy. A restlessness settles in our soul that we can’t shake. Life continues on, but all the good things have lost some of their sparkle. They don’t satisfy like they should.

When we wash those dirty socks, the smell disappears and there is a freshness that replaces it. Like when you have been cooped up in your home and step outside and take a deep breath of fresh air. It is invigorating!

Turning back to spend time with our Lord, gives the breath of fresh air our souls hunger for.

Okay, let’s be real. There are mornings when it is all I can do to drag these old bones out of bed! Until I have had a cup of coffee, I can’t even function. But I also know, especially on those days, that what I most need is to plunk myself down with the Word of God and be replenished through His Spirit.

Does it give me more energy? Not necessarily. But I receive encouragement to move forward in His strength. It reminds me I am His, and He is mine. It speaks hope for a fresh start because I am forgiven. The past is behind me and a whole new day, with all its possibilities, stretches before me.

But unless we equip ourselves with the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit those possibilities can quickly turn into pitfalls. He uses the Scriptures to remind us how we are to live. Jesus set the example in His time on earth and the more we know Him, the better we can navigate the landmines of the world.

As Peter said to Christ in John 6:68 NKJV;

            Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

Nothing can satisfy our souls like Jesus, who is the Word of God.

It doesn’t matter if it is a new year, month, or week. Today is a new day to take the hand of Jesus and learn to listen to His voice. Will your day be perfect? No. Will we still make mistakes? Yes. But we will learn more about Him and ourselves, so the next day can be even better. And the day after that and so on. Until one day we wake up in His presence and every day will be wonderful!

Are you longing for a fresh start? Have you made a list of new resolutions, but deep in your heart you know they will fall flat? Start today with one resolution. To spend time with Jesus in His Word. When we follow this one, it will always produce joy, encouragement and forward movement.

Sisters, it won’t always be easy, but when we look back at the end of our day, we will see it was good because He was with us.

Be well!

Patricia