A New Year Challenge

The One who rules over men in justice is like the morning light at sunrise on a cloudless morning…2 Samuel 23:3-4

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Happy New Years Eve!  Today is the best day to take a look back and say thank you for the blessings and graces of 2025 and look forward to the plans God has for our 2026.  As we focus on resolutions I’d like to offer just one choice that can have a magnificent impact on the new year that awaits.  There is a phrase I heard from a man who survived a catastrophic accident and with the help of God recovered both his body and his soul.  He realized he had a choice, each morning; he could choose to rise and SHINE or rise and WHINE.  I’ve been repeating that in my head for several days and I think it’s gonna be my New Year resolution!  But I have a question that I’m wondering if others have too.  What if life is particularly tricky and staying in bed on a cold gray morning makes it extra hard to rise and SHINE?  In case you might have that same question, here are a few things that might help.

*Rise and SHINE starts before you fall asleep.  End your day by jotting down (or at least saying out loud) three things that happened during the day that were good, happy or you are thankful for…ya know…three places you saw God in your day.  If you fall asleep with positive things on your mind, you sleep better and wake up better.

*Before the RISE part, make sure you invite God into the day you are about to rise and greet.  Give him permission to be in charge and promise to take the back seat and let him drive.  

*Sleep!  Getting up when you’re exhausted is tough let alone trying to get up when you haven’t been under the covers long enough makes it extra tough.  When we get busy or life gets crazy the first thing to go is sleep and that is a terrible plan.  30 minutes of screen time traded for 30 minutes of sleep makes a giant difference.

*End the day with a chat with the Father thanking him for all the grace, mercy and blessings he showered you with throughout the day and then call to mind all the places you fell a little short, asking for his forgiveness.  Those simple steps will lead you to so much good.  
I read this passage not long ago and it seems the perfect way to end this the year, offering some wisdom that we might need to assist in or RISING and SHINING.
Every morning we arise afresh in Christ our light.  Ancient Christian writers warn against “morning demons”: yesterday’s worries and grievances returning to poison the new day. 
I suppose recognizing and naming those morning demons is important but the more important thing to do is ask Christ our light to overpower them so we can shine HIS light through our words, attitude and actions.

A Seed To Plant: As we greet a new year, ponder these thoughts and ask the Lord if this just might be where he’s inviting you to focus.​

Blessings on your day and Happy New Year!