New Beginnings and Falling Resolve

It’s hard to think about new beginnings when winter grips my world. It is cold. The trees, bushes, and flowers lie dormant. It doesn’t look “new”. Things look old, drab, brown. The weather is not friendly. The sun hides. I hide from the air that freezes nose hairs and eye lashes. January 1 may come with a flip of the calendar and the rising of the sun, but things don’t feel new when I’m in the middle of enduring winter. Winter is an actual season, but sometimes our lives feel like perpetual winters no matter what season we’re in. Enduring and newness seem like they can’t coexist together, but what if they can?

I’m not a fan of resolutions. Probably because I can’t keep one longer than two or three days and my failure to make it to day four makes me feel ashamed. But enduring…that’s something I can do. It’s something we all can do. We can last, stay steadfast, and exercise faithfulness.

Regrets follow us. Shame mocks us. Those baby resolutions that didn’t grow past day 3 scream at us from the back of the room. We shut the door. Give up. Quit. I’ve done it. But think about it this way—rather than waiting for January 1 to start “new”, what if we treated each day like a “new” start?

Scripture

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV).

Each day that lies before us is a new day. Yesterday holds regrets over promises not kept, tasks unfinished, and habits unbroken. Will we let those regrets prevent us from seeing the new thing God wants to do in our lives?

Remember not is a lovely way to phrase: “Forget it.” But what it’s really telling us to do is not to reminisce on what was before. We don’t have to chew on our regrets like a cow chewing its cud. Those regrets don’t have to speak negatively into our present day and bully us into giving up the new that God is doing in our lives.

God Brings New

God wants to do “new” in your life. He wants to bring you to new pastures, new spaces, and new moments with him. He wants to transform you into his likeness. This newness happens bit by bit with each yes you say to God.  Did he help you pay attention to your words, and you chose kind ones over harsh? Celebrate. But maybe you chose the harsh ones and didn’t want to. Admit it and receive forgiveness. Then move on. Regrets bully, but God restores.

God is making a way in the wilderness. He is making springs in the desert. He is helping you every step of the way with every new day. Look for him. Focus on him and his miraculous redemption and watch him make a way when the new year is hard.

Prayer for Your Heart

Lord God,
You are holy, righteous, and almighty. Your mercies are new every morning and I praise you for your faithfulness. Will you reveal what newness you’re working out in my heart and life? I don’t want to be caught up with my regrets and mistakes. I want to let them go and focus on you. You restore broken people. The power of regrets in my life interferes with focusing on the new that you’re doing. Restore me. May a way. Let streams flow even in my desert places. I love you and look to you.
In Jesus’ name, Amen

I am grateful for you and your desire to grow in Christ, whether its baby steps or by leaps and bounds. Remember to take each day as a new day and trust the Lord to enable you to see the new growth he’s bringing about in your life.