New Year’s Resolutions

Happy New Year!

More often than not, New Year’s resolutions seem to set up a series of “would have”, “could have”, and “should haves.” We would have read more books had we not watched so much T.V. We could have lost twenty pounds, if we didn’t like ice cream so much, and we definitely should have prayed more … With this truth he mind, we offer an important rule for life:

Our Rule for Life – we’ve only one: we’ll never say, “I should have done.” What’s done is done, that coin is spent. Have faith in God – reflect – repent. Accept the things you cannot change and change the things you must. Why worry now? It happened then; in God’s grace you can trust.

Too many people go through life oppressed by their regrets. They carry guilt from long ago – for sins that God forgets. “As far as East is from the West,” that’s where our guilt should be. Lord, help me leave my past behind, and find my hope in Thee.

In Matthew 5:14-15 (NLT) we read, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

As we begin a New Year, we are trusting God to direct our steps, leading us to live lives that are lights in a dark world. Echoing the words of Saint Paul in Romans 15:13, we pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

New Year Blessings, Your Friends in Christ