It’s possible that we begin every new year – looking back – at the things we didn’t get right in the previous year. The new year begins with a burst of optimism and gratitude for God blessing us to see a new year. The year kicks off with a celebratory spirit! But then, we come face to face with the reality of the missteps and mistakes that we can’t seem to overcome. It’s a new year, but some of the old defeats have been brought into this new moment in time.
Of course, some people are not troubled about the defeats of yesterday. They say, “I’m just human.” But there are others who enter the new year driven and determined to confess and address the spiritual failures that have been largely overlooked, excused, and rationalized. If we’re thinking right, and set on doing right in the new year, we will be determined to live victorious in more and more areas of our life. Think about it! Is there any reason why we should not enter the new year focused on being victorious over the habits, behavior, and bad ways of doing things that are not God’s will for our life. Perhaps most of us, if not all of us, have areas in our life that we’re not getting right. And the new year should bring us to declare, “this time I’ll get it right.” This is the attitude that lines up with God’s word: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57. The new year is a great opportunity for us to look honestly and closely at any wrong that needs to be made right in our life. From the start of the year, we should make a bold proclamation that “this time I’ll get it right.” We are spiritually born, and Holy Spirit filled, to live victorious in Jesus Christ and His Church. Paul declared it – “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. So let me make this suggestion. Write down a few things that you’re not getting right in your journey of faith. Bring this list before God in a prayer of humble contrition. Speak these words: “Lord, it’s a new year that You have brought me into, and I’m presenting some things to You that I didn’t get right last year. But this is a new year. And in Your power and good guidance, “this time I’ll get it right.” What a mighty God we serve. We can get right and stay right through Him! – Van Hardin