A Fresh Start — Again

There’s something about a new year. It’s a fresh start, a chance to re-evaluate, an opportunity to think about my direction and priorities.

Today I will sit at the local coffee shop with Bible, pen, and journal in hand and write down goals for this fresh, new year. I’ll pray for God’s guidance and conviction as I think about the people in my life, the books I want to read, the weaknesses and sins I need to repent of, the tasks He has given me to do. I’ll head back home with several pages of plans, a reorganized schedule, and a renewed commitment to redeem the time for Christ’s kingdom.

I will, however, also come home knowing that I am still the same old fallen human being. I will have reviewed my goals from last year, again seeing that many of them have not been fully realized. I will fail miserably many, many times over the next year as well. My sincerely-made goals will fall victim to the laziness, discouragement, fear, and pride that lurk within me. Tomorrow I will need to remember that I don’t just get a fresh start every new year. When I blow it, I won’t have to scrap my goals and wait until next year to start again.

Because of God’s faithfulness, I wake up each morning with new hope, fueled by His limitless love and mercy. “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;  great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him’” (Lamentations 3:21-24, ESV)

Because of God’s faithfulness, I am given a fresh start every day, every hour, every minute. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, ESV).

Because of God’s faithfulness, I will be changed. “He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24, ESV).

 

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