Another New Day

The end of 2012 was quiet and uneventful... really, how I prefer to spend New Year's Eve. Mostly, I rested and watched everyone unfold their NYE events on Twitter. My kindness day was enlightening--I had some temptation to act and speak outside of it, and God pulled me through. I liked it so much that I think I'll just do it again today...

My enthusiasm for the blog this morning does not come from the New Year, but that this is another new day, an individual gift from God to utilize to the fullest. And that today is a chance to die to my old self and be born again to in the image of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:31, Paul writes, "I die every day--I mean that, brothers--just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord." Physically, the earthly vessels known as our bodies are dying a little bit each day--so too, spiritually we are called to die to our old selves a little bit each day as part of our transformation toward a life of serving and becoming more like Jesus:

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" --2 Corinthians 5:17

I am not discounting the hope that comes with the New Year--we are all excited about making a fresh start, accomplishing new things, and we should be, as that hope is a gift from God. But I have blown enough resolutions to know that those things will not just happen because the calendar turned over; we are going to need a plan on how to make them happen. For me, I have to die a little each day and let God replace the old with the new. So before we think about all the things we want to accomplish this year, I suggest this one:

Today's challenge: Don't try to change your whole life today. Choose one habit that you know does not belong in your life and eliminate it completely. Be tough on yourself; tell it to others in your circle that will hold you accountable; do whatever it takes to eliminate it. And replace it with an inverse habit or behavior that will make you more of the person that God wants you to be.

I hope all of you have a wonderful first day of 2013. Enjoy your family, some football, or whatever brings joy to you. Tell someone that you love and appreciate them--not because it's the New Year, but just because each new day is a great day to show love and appreciation for others.