A New Year!

The start of a new year has always been an interesting time to me. It's a time when people reflect, they think about what their life has been like over the year and decide what changes need to be made, healthy choices, emotional choices, new job, new life... Something about the end of another year causes us to do some self reflection and decide if we are who we want to be.

If you read this blog, you know that I am big on self reflection, I think it's an important tool in our walk with Christ, as Paul says in Corinthians to examine yourselves to see if you are in faith (1 Cor. 13:5).

I think as the body of Christ we need to be evaluating and examining our lives more often than just once a year. All year long we should be testing ourselves, evaluating ourselves, to see if our lives match up with the Word of God. What areas need to be fixed? and unlike 90% of New Years resolutions we should change, for good. A complete lifestyle change.

Everyday gets to be the new year to the believer. His mercies are made new every morning, our past can be forgiven everyday, every sin... forgiven. I don't have to wait for the new year to be redeemed and my sins to be forgotten, all I have to do is fall upon the rock Christ Jesus, confess my sins, repent, and forgiveness comes, redemption comes, change comes.

Everyday we should be living with a "new year" mentality. The mentality that wants to get the wrong to be right. As Christians this involves us pursuing holiness. Wanting to be like Christ, evaluating, listening to the Holy Spirit, and casting off the chaff and sin in our lives.

All I know is that I want to leave a legacy for my family and those around me. The legacy of a woman who pursued whole heartedly after my Maker. I can think of no greater joy in my life than that those who know me family, friends, acquaintances would say that I love Jesus passionately, and I love people passionately. You build your reputation not based on the "big" decisions you make, but with how you live your life everyday. Am I pursuing the Lord whole heartedly? Does my heart break for what breaks His? Do I fear the Lord and hate my sin? Do I love unconditionally without partiality and regardless of circumstance?

I have a long way to go, but I know who I'm living for and I know who I want to be like.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate


Jeremiah 10:23 I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.