One Day
“Write on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” R. W. Emerson
What a difference a day makes. It may not seem like a very big deal but today is a new year. A new beginning for some. A fresh start. For me, I usually start my “new year” at my birthday, which coincides with a school calendar in September. It’s just handy. A new calendar year also brings similar thoughts and ideas for goals and resolutions. It starts with a review and a chance to reflect on how life is going. It is an opportunity to gain perspective and rejoice over the “wins”. Even better, it is a mile marker to show how far one has come. Every year and day starts fresh with renewed hope and mercies made new. I love the quote by LM Mongomery in Anne of Green Gables which says,
“Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it … yet!”
It’s tomorrow! Not every day, but especially this day, signifies a shift in thinking, a break in the time continuum, and a metaphorical shake up.
When I consider the end, knowing that perhaps it is closer for me than it is for others, I am reminded that finishing well is more important than ever. Sometimes it is hard to keep going and not give up. More and more things can threaten to undo me.
Though I have had more opportunities and benefits at the start of this life than others, I am reminded that the same obstacles impact everyone. The bible offers the same hope and common sense to everyone. Today, instead of setting a bunch of new goals (and perhaps it is a cop out) I am just reminding myself to keep reaching forward and to keep removing any obstacles on the way to the finish line. These include the bad habits and busyness that takes up more and more of my time, the failure to forgive, a lack of thankfulness and an absent minded pursuit of God. Further, I am reminded that hardship is better for me than success; it keeps me leaning into Him rather than the unbiblical lies of independence and self-sufficiency.
But, the biggest reminder is that one day the race will be over and nothing will will be left undone nor will it undo me. One day there will be no more bad stuff, no more pain, no more sin, no more death! Everything will be perpetually new and good and finished! One day time won’t matter and we won’t even realize that 10,000 years of singing God’s praises has passed. It won’t feel like we have to start over every day, each season or even count the years. They won’t exist! Until then, I will live one day at a time pressing on to the finish line and laying aside every encumbrance!
Happy New Year! 2025!