With the birth of a new year, there’s something that feels so…well, new! We’ve been given the gift to leave the old behind and start a fresh chapter in our lives. We set goals and expectations for ourselves with the determination that this will be our year!

While some of us will successfully make it to the finish line in December, many of us will stall out and invariably give up, waiting for the “new” of next year to begin again.

But we serve a God who is in the business of rhythms, and he invites us not to wait. Throughout scripture, a clear pattern of God emerges as he offers his children countless opportunities for a fresh start right in the middle of their mess.

The good news is that his offer still stands, today. We can receive that same gift of new every single morning.

He assures us that the sun WILL rise. Without fail. And his new mercies will be right there waiting for us every time.

This doesn’t mean that the problem you are facing isn’t going to follow you into a new day. It doesn’t mean that sorrow, sickness, and sadness won’t be knocking on the door. It doesn’t mean that the consequences of previous actions aren’t camping out in your guest room.

But with each new ray of light, bursting forth over the horizon, our good Father beckons us to refresh our perspectives, to put on truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and grasp the sword of the Spirit because we are more than conquerors.

So this year when you don’t hit the mark, meet that goal, or exceed those expectations, when you fail with your attitude towards others, with harsh words best left unsaid, or actions you wish you could rewind and delete, this is a reminder not to wait for a new year to begin again.

This is an invitation to unwrap the gift of new every single morning.