It happens every January 1, a new year like a blank page begging for a story. It stretches out before you, not yet sullied, not yet marked by disappointment, not yet peppered with regret. You look back and analyze the past year and there are always parts you’d like to erase. You look forward and begin to make resolutions that will guarantee improvement.
There is excitement and enthusiasm for a while. If you are like me, you get into a cleaning frenzy. You reorganize. You dust corners you’ve forgotten about for the past several months. I would love to start every year by throwing out the old wardrobe and starting over with everything brand new, never worn.
The first day of a new year is perfection – for about five minutes. Hard as you try you can’t keep it that way. Before the day ends you’ve probably said something you wish you hadn’t, neglected something you should have taken care of, and shoved an item into a place it didn’t go. All those wonderful resolutions already starting to crumble and you have another 364 days to go.
Still, I am a hopeless resolution maker. I am a dreamer of better decisions, kinder thoughts, more generous actions and a deeper walk. I am a seeker of more meaning and richer relationships. I am a planner of more organized days and fewer busy nights.
For several years now I have been reading through the Bible, beginning January 1st and finishing triumphantly December 31st. I have not failed to live up to this commitment yet.
And God has not failed to reveal new ideas and thoughts to me through His amazing words. Here is the perfect example.
It’s January 3, 2013 and I have just read through the story of creation again. I can’t begin to count the number of times I’ve studied this particular section of scripture. However, this is the first time I was struck with how it parallels the start of a brand new year. Picture God looking out on nothing and deciding to create something, so He starts with light.
Now here is the clue God gave me for how to improve my life in 2013. God didn’t create light and jump to the next step. “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good,…” Genesis 1:3-4a
God took time to look His first step over and make sure it was good before moving on. What a thought! Take time to make sure where you are is right and good before you move forward.
To me that means when the realization comes that I’ve stumbled in thought, word or deed, I need to stop and make amends. When I’m short with my husband, who is one of the few people who can push me from my normally tolerant and gentle self to irritation, I can’t just walk on. I have to stop and ask forgiveness because I desire to please God in all things. I want Him to look at me and say “that was good, move on.”
When I neglect my devotions or don’t take time with someone who needs time, or spread gossip, or fail to put all of my effort or talent in what God has called me to do, I need to go back and make it right.
God stopped several times in the creation process and assessed His work. Did the world He created stay beautiful and unsullied? Nope. Man messed it up within a very short time, and continues to distort it every day. But that doesn’t change what God did.
Take some time this first week of 2013 to look for the original good in God’s actions that first week of the very first year ever. Here’s what you will find:
- There is still heart wrenching, soul moving beauty in a sunrise.
- There is still tranquility in the still waters and breathtaking power in a waterfall.
- There is still majesty beyond description in the mighty mountains and cool, soothing peace in the lush valleys.
- There is still hope in the shimmer of moonlight, laughter in the antics of animals, wonder in the effortless soaring of a bird, faith in the ebb and flow of the ocean.
- And never doubt, there is still goodness in man. The news may try to hide it, evil will try to cast a shadow on it. But it’s there, every day, in the heart and spirit of the ones who choose to walk with God and live out love, forgiveness and grace.
Look for it and you will find it. When you do, remind yourself “it is good”.
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good….” Genesis 1:31a
