Each New Day

"Embrace each day as a gift..."

As the new year unfolds and just over a week into the start of 2026, many people seek to make resolutions and set new goals, always striving for change. It is indeed a good time to reflect on the past year and be motivated for new endeavors or changes you desire, but oftentimes these resolutions fail.

Setting goals in and of themselves can be daunting and even self-defeating. How many people vow to diet and get in shape only to see that discipline slide to the wayside? Or how many want to embrace new behaviors, but their bad habits quickly loom large again? And they drift into despair or self-defeat. No amount of self-effort produces real change; it needs to be a shift in the mind and heart.

Instead of seeking “to do” greater things or make radical changes, how about simply embracing each day as a new gift given. Instead of striving in life and trying harder, seek to enter greater rest and communion with the Creator. It’s a heart change most of all.

"Be deeply rooted and watered..."

God didn’t create us to be human “doings”, but rather human “beings”. And it’s in that abiding and true rest and communion with the Creator that true life and change naturally unfold. Much like a plant deeply rooted in rich soil, life begins to unfurl itself in the warmth of the sun, as it is also well-watered. In the same way, God wants us to come alive in Him in all the fullness He created us to be! As we root ourselves in His Word and are watered by worship and quiet abiding, we begin to grow and change. It’s not the striving and self-effort that brings change; rather, it’s the life of the Spirit. It’s BEING in a deeper relationship with the Creator. Then, we will quite naturally begin to live out all we were designed to BE!

It’s in the daily abiding in Him that He begins to produce the changes we desire. It’s in relationship and quiet trust that we discover more and more who He is and who He created and designed us to BE!

The results naturally unfold like a plant growing by simply being attached to the vine and nurtured by the sun. In the same way, as we are attached to Him in deeper ways and seek His Son, growth and change naturally occur.

Instead of striving and setting greater goals, resolve for greater intimacy with the Father. He will indeed make you new. It’s not in the doing as much as it is in just being. And as you learn to walk out that newness of life as each day unfolds, change occurs over time.

So, this year, I didn’t set any New Year’s resolutions. Instead, this is my resolve: to BE more grateful, to be more loving, to be more forgiving, to be more in His Word, to be more like Christ as I learn to live in the fullness of each new day given. How about you?

"It's in BEING like Him we are truly changed..."

 Beloved:

Cease striving and know that I am God! I created you with the pure delight of having a relationship with you. I created you for My glory! Trust that as you simply abide in Me, I will produce the life and changes in you that you long for. Come unto Me!

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are BEING transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another...” (2 Cor. 3:18)

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning (day); great is Your faithfulness.” (Lams. 3:22-23)

“Cease striving and know that I am God.” (Psalms 46:10)