A Fresh Start
by Tanya Person
We have a tradition in America, and I think it’s practised in a lot of different countries. At the start of the new year, we make resolutions. We see an area where we want to improve, and we make a vow that, in the new year, we’ll change this area. Maybe it’s giving up sweets, going to bed earlier, stopping smoking, or exercising every day.
I wonder how many of us made new year’s resolutions this year. And I wonder how many of us have already failed this year’s resolutions, at least partly.
The problem with resolutions is that we normally get an idea of an area of our life that we want to improve, make a decision to improve, do our best, but our best is never good enough.
What do we do when we fail in fulfilling our resolutions? Give up completely? Try again? Wait until next year? Maybe we make a resolution to never make another resolution!
The great news is that we don’t have to conform or copy the behavior of the world, but we can ask God what He wants to change, and we can allow Him to do the work in us, with us doing our part.
The bible says, ‘So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image’ (2 Corinthians 3:18), and, ‘Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need’ (Hebrews 4:16, NIV).
This is such encouraging news. God wants to make us in His image, to reflect His glory, and He gives us mercy and grace in our time of need. What we have to do is found in 1 John 1:9, ‘But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness’.
With Jesus we can get a fresh start at any point, and He’s there to help us. So, let’s surrender again to Him and His plans for our lives.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that You want to transform me into Your likeness. I surrender afresh to You. Change my thinking and make me into the person You created me to be. I give my resolutions into Your hands and ask You to help me do the things You want me to do and to change the things that You want me to change. Amen.
Tanya Person Tanya and her husband, Jim, were missionaries to Hungary for over 18 years. They have worked with Ellel since 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where they are now serving with the Ellel USA team. They have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom, and for mentoring the existing and developing team. Tanya also enjoys crocheting and knitting in her free time and has written some children’s picture books.
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