Beautiful New Day

"for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose."

- Philippians 3:12

Today is the first day of the rest of your life. I was thinking about this upcoming new year, and praying about how it would be different from the past year - from the past years. How do I break free of the things that have been holding me back? Can I really accomplish the things I believe God has called me to? Then I came across this verse in my devotions, "it is God who works in you..." We have to do our part. We have to seek God, we have to step out in faith, we have to walk in the light of God's word, but it is GOD who works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose. That focuses my new year. That tells me that if I want to accomplish more this year, I simply have to seek the LORD more. It's no longer about me, but about relationship with God and allowing Him to work.

One of my favorite Christmas presents this year is a t-shirt that says 'Winning is for the birds." It's a fan t-shirt for the Philadelphia Eagles that I had seen in the movie Invincible. It's a play on the saying that something is "for the birds", which has a negative connotation. The reason I love it is because it takes the saying and makes it positive. (Side note - I hope the Eagles make the playoffs or Superbowl this year so I can wear it.) It reminds me to look for the positive in things. No matter how I feel, I might have failed in the past, or not lived up to my own expectations in an area, I have to remember that tomorrow is a new day. If I don't live it, it won't be written. God has purpose and plans for us, He loves us, He wants us to fulfill the lives He has for us out there.

To quote an old song, life is a highway, I want to ride it all night long... I can't wait for tomorrow, and I'll live today in great expectation of it. God is working. He is moving. He is changing me, so tomorrow I'll be different, tomorrow I'll be more like Him, tomorrow is a beautiful new day full of what God has on this road I'm on. Not all of it is fun, some of it I just won't ever understand until I get to heaven, but I know God. I know He works all things for good to them that love Him and are called according to His purpose. I will rest in Him. I will look forward to a beautiful new day.