It's a New Year

We are now in the year 2013. You and I are among those who have been blessed with the opportunity to usher it in. There are many people who cannot join us in the celebration because they are not here with us. Some of them died just a few minutes before the new year began. Out of these, there are probably those who would rather be where they are now. Others, however, might want to come back (Luke 16:19-31).
We should therefore treasure and be thankful for each day that we see, because it is a God-given opportunity to do things that truly matter and that make a positive difference in our lives and those of others, both here on earth and thereafter.
Unfortunately though, this is not what always happens. Many are the things that we do that make our lives worse instead of making them better. Such things weigh us down, drain us, fill our lives with stress, depression, misery and regret, and also act as a barrier to God’s plans and blessings in our lives. They include bitterness, unforgiveness, hatred, rage, ethnic divisions, rudeness, jealousy, strife, drug abuse, drunkenness, sexual promiscuity, arrogance, and so on (Galatians 5: 19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Colossians 3:5-8, 2 Timothy 2:16, etc). They are of no benefit to anyone and only add unnecessary complications and gloom to our lives.

When we begin a new year, if we do not get rid of such things, then the new year ends up being just a continuation of the previous ones’ turmoil, baggage and setbacks. We end up rotating in a vicious cycle of unprofitable clutter that becomes harder and harder to break out of as days pass. As one famous quote says,

“Watch your actions for they become your habits;

Watch your habits for they become your character;

Watch your character for it shapes your destiny.”

It is therefore good to do some spiritual, mental, emotional and practical spring-cleaning so as to break out of the vicious loops that keep entangling us and holding us back, and move on to the greater things that God plans for us. This makes life more worth the while and less strenuous.

In addition, we should use the time that we have as wisely as we can, because just like those who have not seen this year, we do not know how much time we have left and whether or not we will see the next one.

“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5:15-16