As the clock struck midnight last Friday night, those who were awake and watching celebrated the beginning of a new year. December 31, 2021 gave way to January 1, 2022, and the experiences of 2021 were pushed aside by the hopes and expectations of 2022. Many have seen, and continue to see that moment when the new year arrives as an opportunity to push the reset button and start over with a clean slate. For many, it is the perfect opportunity to forget the unaccomplished resolutions of the past while rolling out another round of goals and objectives.
One year certainly seems like enough time to accomplish some significant goals. Losing 25 pounds, reading through the Bible, saving for retirement, reconnecting with old friends, or dropping some bad habits are worthy goals for some, and when looked at over the course of a year, they are reasonable and attainable. But we run into trouble when our routines and habits from the previous year take longer to change than we anticipated, and the month of January starts slipping away. Before we know it, our year is now somewhat less than twelve full months, and we’ve made no progress on our goals. If we allow that to continue, twelve months becomes eleven, and then ten, and what seemed achievable in one year becomes more daunting when looked at over the remaining months.
Is it possible that there is a better way to look at our lives, than in yearly increments? Is it possible that, by trying to judge our lives according to a 12-month calendar, we are setting ourselves up for discouragement? Is it possible that, by paying more attention to the calendar flipping to a new year instead of the clock marking the beginning of a new day, we miss out on how we are supposed to live our lives?
When Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, he told them to ask God for their daily bread, not weekly, monthly or year’s supply. He set up the expectation that his disciples should pray daily, for what they need that day. Jesus would also tell his followers to not worry about tomorrow, when instead they should be focused on seeking God today. Jesus emphasized the importance of focusing on what is truly important today, because he knew that our time on earth must be lived second by second, minute by minute, hour by hour, and day by day.
Today, I can eat an apple instead of ice cream. Today, I can read a few chapters in the Bible. Today, I can spend a little less and save a little more. I can’t lose 25 pounds today, or read the entire Bible today, or fully fund a retirement account today, but I can take small actions today that will move me towards those goals. Opportunities to change our lives are presented today, so it is what you decide to do on this day that will make a difference. For this reason, the author of Hebrews wrote “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
It does seem like if we blink our eyes, weeks and months pass us by quickly. So don’t get caught up on what you want to do this year, spending your time looking at the weeks and months to come. Instead, realize that the things you do and decisions you make today can change your life, possibly even forever.
Peace and blessings – Pastor Aaron