Fresh Starts and New Beginnings

Fresh. Clean. New. Fragrant like the ambition radiating from freshly washed laundry, waiting to be worn for a new adventure. Today, these are the words that come to mind as I've been pondering the New Year.

I love a clean slate and a New Year. I love the reminder that life is not stagnant--it is continually changing. When life seems like it's just not picking up, we have the hope that it will change with time. Maybe not immediately or in our own time frame, but ultimately new things happen.

The New Year has prompted me to look back on the last year and really look at how much life has changed in that year. There were moments I swore I was stuck and things would never change, and then eventually things changed drastically. I think sometimes I get so swallowed by my emotions in the moment, that I completely lose sight of the fact that God is working in that time.

For Christmas this year, I bought a wardrobe for my closet-less bedroom. Since I moved into my apartment in October, my room has been a disaster. Somehow, the new wardrobe, is symbolic for me. In the pre-wardrobe phase my room seemed chaotic and in turn made me feel chaotic. But with time and patience, it now feels organized, neat, and new.

I feel like that is what Christ does for me x10000000000. He offers newness and fresh starts everyday. Sometimes in the busyness and stress of life, I know I fall captive into the trap of losing hope that change can happen. But Christ is the reminder, that each day change is possible. But we need to stop trying to take the lead, and let him be the guide--trusting that he has something great in store.

So for the year ahead, my prayer is that Christ would bolster me with faith that endures hardship, stress, and struggle. And out of that, I pray that there would be a well-spring of joy that abounds from the Truth of knowing Christ.

I may not be able to control the way things work out in the coming year. But I do have a choice to choose faith. I officially choose faith today, no matter what the next day, week, month, or year brings.

Psalm 32:8, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." (NIV)

Lord,

Thanks for loving me, even in the days I don't seem to have much faith. I pray that you would give me a heart that is renewed by your holy spirit and grounded by your word. I praise you---because you have big things in store for me this year. Help me to trust and rest in the fact that I do not need to take control. You have it all in your hands. I can keep seeking you, and you will guide me where you need me.

I pray for others who may be struggling at times to keep hope in what is unseen. Times may get difficult, but I pray that you would give us spirits of perseverance.

Amen