As a sunrise means the start of a new day, so January means the start of a new year. Our world is filled with examples of new starts. The toss of a coin on a football field is the start of a new game, a wedding is the start of a new marriage and the birth of a child is the start of a new life. Examples are all around us in every sphere of life. They can teach us a few things.
First, a new start teaches us about perseverance. Life can make you weary. It can make you feel like giving up telling yourself, “I can’t do this anymore.” However, January can be a new start. Will you give up or accept that last year is gone and renew your commitment to give your best and keep pressing onward?
Second, a new start teaches us about opportunity. January shouts saying, “Hey, it is a new year. What are you going to do with it?” You may have an opportunity to begin a new career, help someone who is in need, or fulfill a lifelong dream. Will they come and pass you by or will you seize them?
Third, a new start teaches us about the grace of God. As a New Year’s Day is the chance to begin a new and better year, so the grace of God is a chance for you to begin a new and transformed life.
Like you have done nothing to bring about a sunrise or a new year, so you have done nothing to bring about the grace of God. What is this amazing grace? It is a form of God’s love shown to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that provided for the forgiveness of sins of all humankind.
As January is a start to a new year, Jesus Christ can be the start of a new life for you. Through Him, you can become a new person. Receive His grace by turning from your sin and receive your hope for today and all of 2009.
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