I love New Year’s. I really do. I love looking out into a beautiful new start–12 fresh, untouched months. However … I almost never “blaze” into a New Year. For many years, I would always be sick the first week of January. I’m so happy I figured out eating sugar the whole month of December used to make me sick for most of January. I entered this New Year (2014) without a cold or holiday exhaustion. Great! Unfortunately, I’m having a little round of high blood pressure that is out of my control and hopefully, will be addressed and corrected this week. So, I don’t feel that good, but it’s not my fault. Progress! Ha, ha!

New Year, Not So Inspired

The New Year is a perfect time to enjoy that clean slate, to set new goals and to plan for re-set priorities. Resources for this abound. From the day after Christmas through the first week of January, Facebook and Twitter feeds are full of inspirational thoughts and challenges. (New Year, New You!) The only problem is if you don’t feel particularly inspired. (Or New.) Maybe you don’t feel so well, like me. Or maybe last year left you feeling a little beat up and worse for wear. Maybe you’re going through a trial where just putting one foot in front of the other is all you can do. How do you find inspiration when you’re in this kind of place?

New Life

There is an answer. Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” If we will take a few moments and spend time in God’s Presence, we will find all the inspiration–and even joy!–that we need. He will make known to us the path we need to take, the path for our life, the path that will bring us life, the path of life. And He will still guide us, even if we are coming to Him after January 1st. God wants to meet with us, to lead us and guide us any time or day of the year.

In His Presence, we will remember that the Lord is with us and that He holds the future in His hands. He hasn’t left us and no matter  how we’re feeling, we can find peace and rest in Him. We can trust Him with all that is ahead of us. We can trust Him with all we want to do and be.

New Power & Strength

Maybe you’re feeling “on top of the world” and you do have your plans and goals all mapped out for the year and you’re ready to go. That’s a good thing! Remember, though, the power to accomplish all those things is also found in His Presence. That’s where our true renewal is found. The joy of the Lord is our strength!

I pray the Lord’s blessings on you in this New Year. I pray for His comfort, His power, His strength, His encouragement and His inspiration in your life!