It’s good to have the opportunity to start a New Year – again. It really is a valid reason for us to celebrate. As the dates change on the calendar, we have an opportunity to see if we should consider making changes in our lives. We have a chance to take a look at our old habits to decide if we have become accustomed to doing too much, or doing things in a certain way just because it feels easy or secure – rather than appropriate or God-inspired.

Perhaps our “spiritual life” has become too comfortable, and we might not even realize that we have become spiritually stagnant or sluggish.

So when the beginning of this New Year rolls around, it’s time to ask ourselves some questions, to take stock, to do an assessment of what our life is all about. Perhaps then we can begin to understand if we have blocked out opportunities and options because of our concerns or our fears of the unknown.

Let’s ponder such questions as: Are we keeping ourselves too busy with our routines, our usual patterns of doing things? Or are we open to starting afresh and experiencing a newness of life? Are we willing to unlock our hearts and minds so that we can see fresh ways we are being called to serve? Can we open doors to a deeper relationship with God?

Yes, this New Year may be a good time for us to start afresh. It may be an occasion to discover a newness in our living, a springtime in the seasons of our lives, a new vitality and energy in our being. Perhaps it’s time to unlock some long-closed doors and to crack open our hearts so that we can hear and experience joy and hope in our lives. And maybe we will find that God is truly present in our lives.

Giver of new life, help us to start afresh this New Year. Make us open to your life-giving words. Crack open our hearts and wrap us up in new skins. May we be ready to honor your teachings and follow you wherever you may lead us. Amen.

Joy Carol
www.joycarol.com