Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

New Year’s Day is a day of hope because it is a day of beginnings.  January 1 offers the opportunity to paint on a blank canvas.

It doesn’t matter that this new start is chronologically arbitrary–the ancient Romans celebrated January 1 as New Year’s Day, the imperial Romans March 25, and the Chinese New Year in 2011 is February 3–because what matters is that we recognize a day as the first day.

G.K. Chesterton said, “Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.”  There is something about starting with a clean slate that inspires change.  New Year’s Day offers the possibility of that change.

For Christians, the hope for change is not rooted in catchy phrases from self-help gurus in three thousand dollar suits, nor in one’s own fortitude but in Christ.  As the Apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).

So as you make your New Years resolutions today dream away, and dream big for 2011 because one thing is clear: if you don’t dream you won’t resolve, and if you don’t resolve you won’t try, and if you don’t try you won’t achieve. GS

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