Saturday, January 2, 2016

A New Year or Just Another Day

Due to human nature’s fondness (at least in this country) for the idea of new beginnings on January 1 of each year, we resolve to lose weight, exercise regularly, take time to smell the roses, etc., etc. There certainly is nothing wrong with new beginnings. In fact, I think we look forward to fresh starts harking back to the time when Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and in His mercy He began unfolding the plan of allowing Man a new beginning. God loved mankind so much He made possible the ultimate start-over for us with Jesus' death on the cross in payment for our sins and His resurrection victory over death.

Which brings me to this “new year.” Just writing 2016 seems very strange to see at this point. But here we are, like it or not. This year or this day can be a portion of a journey, or an adventure, or a page of an adventure book, or a period of drudgery. Most of us are in a position to choose how we experience it.

Personally, I like the idea of each day being a page of an adventure book as that could also include the idea of life being a journey. Last year at this time I wrote about adventure which is not a word or activity cluster I would generally associate with myself. If different life experiences, as in out of the norm, count as adventure, I got to participate:)

As I think of our earthly measurement of time, it seems to me that each new day we’re given on this earth is somewhat like a signal for a “new” year daily because it’s a fresh start on the rest of our life however long that might be. I wrote the poem below several years ago and used it in a blog post in earlier years, but felt like it would be a good way to end this post.

                       Illumination

                        Make mine a transparent life
                        Through which Your loving spirit shines.

                        Refine the impurities
                        So sin’s scar tissue
                        Will not obscure Your light;

                        All selfish desires
                        (even those appearing “good”)
                         Burned away,
                        Allowing only You to be visible.

That is my personal desire for 2016. Perhaps it will be yours, too.

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