A New Year

The Lord’s “mercies are new every morning,” Jeremiah tells us (Lamentations 3:23).   As we turn the calendar at midnight tonight to 2018, we receive a gift of 365 mornings of new mercies to explore and enjoy in the coming year.  Like many of you, I have some goals for the new year. Despite all my past failures, a new year on the calendar always inspires me to try again!  

I am learning at this time in my life that when my list is full of myself and my own efforts, I turn my life into a performance.  

But the Christian life is not a performance.  

There is no stage here on earth for you and me.  We are not here to show anyone how good, talented, popular, busy, generous, and virtuous we can be.  Our lives are GOD’S stage, where we hand the microphone over to Jesus and let Him use our circumstances, talents, and opportunities to demonstrate how great HE is.  And that only happens through Christ-dependence.  

Twelve years ago (2005) was the year the selfie-stick was invented.  Maybe 2018 can be the year we put away the selfie-stick and aim our cameras to the only One Who truly deserves praise!  John the Baptist said, “He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease.”  As I look over my list of goals for 2018, I want the first resolution of all to be this:  Christ dependence.  May I accomplish my goals and meet my challenges this year through Christ--in His power, with His blessing, and to His glory!