Happy New Year!

The first day of the new year. Three hundred sixty-five days of possibilities and opportunities await us. Whatever 2010 was for you, whether wrought with failures or successes, it is now over and a fresh new year has come. What are you hoping to do with it?

So many people look at reinventing themselves in the new year. Get organized, read more, lose weight, the list could go on and on. One could almost list verbatim the items that will be in the newspaper ads in the first few Sundays of January. Every year it is the same, a plethora of items all geared toward how we set our minds for our fresh start.

Having goals isn't necessarily a bad thing. Unfortunately, people often set themselves up for failure by making so many changes simultaneously that they can't maintain any of them. Or instead of looking at some of the things we do well, we tend to pick at our flaws instead creating a negative mindset that only digs us deeper into despair rather than lifting us up. If you are going to make resolutions or set goals, break them into small, manageable steps and your ability to succeed will be much greater.

God created you and loves you regardless of your shape, size or organizational level. However, you should strive to be the best you, not just to look good or feel good or fit into those size 6 jeans, but to glorify God. Because He lives in us and works through us and we should be physically and mentally fit for service.

Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?
(1 Cor 3:16)  

 As I have worked the past few months to return my physical self  to a healthier state, I have used the verse above to help keep me on track. I also like the following from 1 Corinthians 10:13, which is my memory verse for January:  

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

 Whatever your goals are for the new year, know that God is with you every step you take, even if you end up taking a few backwards steps.  If you trip and fall don't give up! You are God's workmanship (Ephesians 2:10) and worth the effort.

In His Peace -