My New Start

Jesus is my new start.

I got a new pair of shoes the other day. When I brought them home, they were squeaky clean. After one walk outside and me wearing them to navigate around the pond, dirt had made residence inside the bottom of the shoes. I came inside and started spraying the dirt out! 

My now new shoes kind of compare to this year.

I know this year will contain real life and hard moments. 

We cannot both live and avoid walking in things that are messy or noticeable.

As much as we hope this year will take different turns than previous years, we will find ourselves in need of Jesus’ cleansing.

Perhaps, the moments of getting dirt in the cracks of our lives remind us of our continual need for Him.

Similar to how I came inside and started spraying off my new shoes after the first time I wore them, it will only take a short while on day one of the new year for us to realize our continual need for new starts with the Lord.

Below is a prayer I wrote for us in the new year. I pray Jesus gives you encouragement to keep returning to Him each day that lies before us.

–

Father,

I pray my brothers and sisters find hope in You today. I pray You rearrange our priorities and dreams. 

Convict us where we are living for ourselves rather than being poured out for You and the Gospel.

God, I pray that we do not lose heart this year. I pray our focus isn’t to receive a spouse, a better job, or to acquire more possessions.

Burn in our hearts a flame that spurs us on in hungering and thirsting for Your righteousness.

Convict us. Do not let us befriend sin or flirt with forms of it.

Protect us from compromise, Heavenly Father.

Set our eyes on things above and use our lives here below to mirror who You are.

Be my One Desire and the only One I pursue. Lead me in loving those around me. 

Clean this dwelling place You have chosen to call Your own.

Jesus, Your mercies are new every morning. Align me with You in each moment.

You are my strength, Father.

–

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” -Lamentations 3:21-25 (ESV)