A New Year

A new year is the start of new beginnings. We want new beginnings based on our desire to accomplish anew what we did not accomplish in the last year.  We will work at it to earn it and become enslaved to to desire to achieve as such. However, the true new beginnings have Jesus in the center for He provided our ultimate new beginning - salvation.  It is imperative to be centered on Jesus and embrace the work He did (on the cross) that gave us the new beginning that is guaranteed in delivery (grace) and outcome (salvation).  All other efforts we undertake are subordinated to what He has provided.  Our efforts in this new year are to be measured not by accomplishment but by progress.  A progress based how much closer we got to God; how we lived in His Will (His plans for my life); and how we grew in and through Jesus in our thoughts, words and actions.  A progress that celebrates and shows the world the guaranteed new beginning that He provided.  Once and for all (finally) and renewed every day through His unlimited fresh mercy and grace.