New Year's Revolution


I hope that in this year to come, you are making mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly,
you’re doing something. –Neil Gaiman


It’s that time again. Time to set aside the old and take up the new. Time to reflect, to discern where we accomplished good things—and where we could use some improvement.

For some folks, the end of the year means sitting down and writing one or more resolutions for the New Year.

Problem with so many resolutions, though, is that they’re old hat. The same old, same old. Nothing new or radically different. Ho hum.

Why bother to make a resolution if you’re not willing to take a chance and strive to do something that actually might make a difference in our lives and the world?

Change is good. Upset—even upheaval—can be a very good thing. Resolving to truly live differently in 2019 may be uncomfortable, like a new pair of shoes, but with a little patience and stick-to-it-ive-ness, those shoes may just become your new favorite pair. Go ahead. Make a radical resolution. Promise to be the change your world so badly needs.

You can do it. With God’s leading, you can do it.


Monday Ponder what gift you would take to this Christ Child born of Mary. What’s keeping you from offering this gift to God? Matthew 2:1-6

Tuesday (Happy New Year!) Imagine the various travelers in the birth narratives—Mary and Joseph, shepherds, Kings—and their willingness to follow without question. Pray for a more willing heart. Matthew 2:7-12

Wednesday Matthew writes of Joseph, Mary and the infant escaping into Egypt. Pause today and pray for the safety of refugees around the world and in your city. Matthew 2:13-15

Thursday Pray today for children who are victims of violence and human trafficking. Pray especially for people living in Nigeria. Matthew 2:16-18

Friday Pray for world leaders and those in positions of power. Pray for their wisdom, compassion and generosity of spirit. Matthew 2:19-23

Saturday As you pray for yourself, thank God for your unique gifts. Ask God to show you how these gifts can be employed to usher in the Reign of God. Matthew 3:1-12

Sunday Meditate on these words: “This is my child, whom I love. In him [or in her] I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17

And now we welcome the New Year. Full of things that have never been. –Rainer Maria Rilke

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