Happy New Year!

It's almost 2 weeks in, but we can still say it, right? It's still a time of reflection and making resolutions. Or changing the ones you made January 1 to be more realistic! Kind of like the new Weight Watchers ads where the people are in in line returning their overly-hopeful goals that were set. Swapping them for something more realistic. (oh, like maybe losing 1-2 pounds a week instead of 10 by the weekend?) BTW, I'm a Lifetime WW member, but am not preaching it on this post!

So as we reflect on what we'd like to achieve in the new year, we usually look at the past. Sometimes the past week/month/year/life seems like such a mess, we're rather overwhelmed by what we can change or want to accomplish. I wrote the same general goals every year and usually quit by February, so for a couple years I've saved the time and paper and just put 1. Live as well as I can, with as much joy as I can, with Jesus. That covers it! And it's enough.

Do you ever just feel like you're in line for soup at the Soup Nazi's (Seinfeld fans know this, you can also check it online) take-out and not sure what you want in life, or what you want to change/do/feel? Your anxiety level increases as the line moves and you near the Soup Nazi, hoping you order correctly or you'll blow your order and miss out on the soup. How about instead, you become the Soup Nazi, and everyone in line is one of the problems you're facing. You address each one confidently, either serving (accepting) it or shouting "Next!" to the ones you want to go away. Those messes are simply shooed out the door, never to be served again. You're ready for something better to come along. Become the happy person who looks at your failures and disappointments face to face and declare "Next" to them, as you dismiss them to not hound you anymore.

As we look at the New Year, we can't move forward if we can't let go of the past. We won't recognize the new if we're living and dwelling on the old. Quit processing ancient history so that you can press on to living now. This isn't to say that you'll forget the past entirely. Just what is so painful that it is holding you back. Quite often I've found that it's something or someone I need to forgive. To move beyond that wrong so I can face the future with a new hope. When you forgive, you let go of the hope of a better past. It's over...quit letting it spoil today and the days ahead. As is written in the book of Joel 2:25, the Lord will give much joy to more than make up for "the years the locusts have eaten".

Have you had a few locusts in your life? Maybe a whole swarm or plague? Then it's time to turn it over to the Lord. You can be whole and new right now. Reclaim what the past has "eaten". Say "Next" to the sin oppressing you as you send it packing out the door. Surrendering to Jesus is the best "resolution" you can ever make. He's here to give you a new locust-free life! Choose to follow Him as you enter 2023.

Your New Year can start today, friends! Start today to be grounded in Him! And Happy New Year!