January 1, 2019

A New Day

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:19

“But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”

– Isaiah 52:12

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – 2 Corinthians 5:17

What are your New Year’s resolutions? Did you giddily toast to your dreams? Are you determined to live differently this year? Did you make plans for good things?

Why do you think this year will be different than last year? Are you different? Are you more determined? Has life rocked you to the core and changed your direction?

We like to think of the first day of a new year as a new beginning. In many ways, it is. But it is only a new beginning if we are willing to make real changes in how we live our lives. Dreams are great but they don’t do anything unless we are willing to take action.

Sometimes we get so mired in the past that we lose our hope for today. We get so overwhelmed with where we are that we can’t seem to make ourselves take small steps toward who we want to be.

Our goals were so attainable in the giddiness of the New Year’s Eve celebration. We felt strong enough to conquer anything. And, maybe, for a day or two we bask in the glow of change.

The reality isn’t always so easy. There’s no way to lose weight without changing our eating habits and adding physical activity to our lives. No amount of dreaming or fad diet challenges will cause us to lose weight. We’ve got to actually step up and change.

The same is true with seeking a new job, changing relationships, living more determinedly for Christ. Jobs don’t happen without applications and networking. Relationships don’t change without time and effort. Living for Christ doesn’t happen without spending more time with Him and actually stepping up to serve.

Do you see the pattern? Are you willing to do the work necessary to live differently in 2019?

Don’t let the past overwhelm you. And don’t get caught up with how large that mountain looks. Every goal is reached by taking one step and then another. You don’t have to do it all at once. You simply must take one step toward it today.

Can you do that? Do you trust God enough to follow the dreams He’s planted deep inside of you? Can you move forward even when you quake in fear? Are you willing to follow the light?

God never leaves us alone. He never lets us to wander without reason. Seek His wisdom and move forward into the New Year. God has called you to great things but it’s up to you to take that first step.