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Glorifying God in the New Year

As we begin this New Year, I am extremely thoughtful about God’s faithfulness over this past year. I use this day to contemplate my life…yesterday, today and tomorrow. What area of my life have I unsuccessfully forfeited over to my Maker? What area have I held onto with a death grip…failing to trust the One who knit me together in my mother’s womb. What problem area continues to be a struggle for me if I were to face it again tomorrow?

One of our resolutions this year is to meet once a week for a family devotional. Our first meeting adjourned a couple of hours ago. We talked tonight about glorifying God and why that is so applicable today as we begin the New Year. To followers of Christ, a New Year’s resolution is really just a way of saying “Lord, I want to glorify and honor you more this year by (fill in the blank.)”

I want to glorify You more by being a better husband…more akin to Christ loving His bride.

I want to glorify You more by being a better father…following closely in my Father’s footsteps.

I want to glorify You more by taking more seriously my role as spiritual leader to my family.

I want to glorify You more by being a better steward of my body…my Earthly temple.

I believe that all New Year’s resolutions lead us to discover ways to better glorify our King.

As you think about the newness of this year, contemplate the strength and hope that is offered by God. Where do you feel inadequate? What scares you? What area in you life is not working? Where do you feel the most vulnerable and helpless? Whatever your answer…He is your hope and your strength. For all of the unforeseen trials that 2006 will bring…He is your hope and your strength. In Romans 8:38 we are reminded that "Our fears for today, our worries for tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away."

The thing that I love most about this day is the hope that it brings. I love the feeling of wiping the slate clean. Understanding that God’s grace doesn’t wait until the first day of the New Year to kick in, I, in my humanness, benefit from having a starting point. There’s nothing special about July 6th. It’s just another day to me. It’s hard to feel like starting over on July 6th. But, the first day of a New Year is a good time to take a moral, spiritual and physical inventory…and take your first step.

As the sun sets on the first day of the New Year, I feel pretty good about how the year is going so far. I’ve taken care of my body, had my first family devotional with the family, went to church, loved my wife, my kids and didn’t kick the dog.

Only 364 more days to go.