«Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you
He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you» (Deuteronomy 31:8, NLT).
MOST WOMEN enjoy trying out new things. We love to wear a new dress or try out a new household item that we couldn’t resist buying from our favorite store. We are happy decorating our homes with new objects that enhance the beauty of our living space. In short: we like new things.
Well, today, we are trying out something new: another year. It comes wrapped in the beautiful wrapping paper of life. Doesn’t it look beautiful, like this, wrapped in minutes, hours, and days? And it comes with a little card that says, «Take your time and enjoy it. Live it in the here and now. Look at it, touch it, taste it, listen to it. Don’t waste it. Tomorrow there may be no more left.»
God, the Owner of time and life, is the One who sends it to us. This new time is tailor-made for you. It’s exactly what you need, no more and no less.
There isn’t too much or too little of it—it’s sufficient.
Can it be hurried along? No.
Can it be delayed? That can’t happen either.
Can it be enjoyed? Yes, it can. And that’s a privilege that can’t be taken away from you.
This new year will not only be measured by the clock or the calendar hanging on your wall. It will be measured by how intensely you savor every moment. You are the one who can give delight to the days of each week, painting them in the colors that you choose. You may wish to discard the black of bitterness, but perhaps you will accept the gray of melancholy, while brushstrokes of green hope and small red dots of optimism will bring to your existence the delights of living every moment. Though purple may be reserved for hours of sadness, pink will come bursting through when you receive a hug from a friend.
The smell of freshly baked bread will be a delight to your senses while the steaming cup you’ll drink with your loved ones will be the perfect epilogue of a rich existence. How about saying, «Thank You» to God for all this?
Let us aim to live this new year aware of the brevity of life and without losing sight of the mission that we have to accomplish during its course. Happy New Year!
May you begin it well, always holding on to the Lord’s hand.