A New Day

(Luke 12:29-34, NIV) 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.


As a youth, the only poem that I memorized was this anonymous poem that Alabama's legendary coach Paul Bryant kept with him, and read daily:


This is the beginning of a new day.
God has given me this day to use as I will.
I can waste it or use it for good.
What I do today is very important because I am
Exchanging a day of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever.
Leaving something in its place I have traded for it.
I want it to be a gain, not loss - good, not evil.
Success, not failure in order that I shall not forget the price I paid for it.


Each year, I am challenged by the thought of New Year's resolutions. Each year I hope to develop good habits and get rid of the bad ones. I do hope to blog more, pray more, exercise more, spend more quality time with family and friends, and eat less (yeah, right). Somehow, I break these by the end of January, sometimes as early as January 2.


However, Jesus calls us not to worry about the needs of the day. Rather, prioritize the God's plan to bring the world back to himself and let the chips fall where they may. We may be surprised that we could not have planned things better ourselves.


I pray that according to God's plan for the world that you would make the most of 2009 and have a blessed New Year!


Tim