“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” (Lamentations 3:21–26, NIV)
Today is the first day of 2015. It is a holiday, and I have to work. I wondered what the historic significance of this holiday was and why my employer didn’t respect it enough to let me stay home. I actually discovered something interesting as I researched the history of New Years Day.
It was a Pagan holiday in Ancient Rome that was established to honor a false god named Janus. The Romans believed he had to faces that enabled him to look forward and backward at the same time. They celebrated Janus by drinking and partying.
This holiday was abolished by Church leaders because of its pagan roots. During medievil times this holiday was not celebrated. We celebrate it now because Pope Gregory XIII established January 1st as the first day of the year when he made his calendar. He was the founder of the Gregorian calendar that we still use today. Our current holiday celebrates a new year and new beginning. (http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/new-years).
After reading this history, I am not sure that January 1st is really a holiday that I am entitled to stay home to celebrate, so I will go to work. It does remind me though that we have new starts and new beginnings. We face new opportunities and new challenges. We can also look back and celebrate what has happened before.
As I was pondering this new beginning idea, I realized that every morning is a new beginning. Every day is a fresh slate upon which I can write a new adventure. Every morning is a reminder of God’s compassion, faithfulness, gifts, salvation, and love. Each morning is an opportunity to celebrate a New Moment, a New Hour, a New Day or a New Year. Every second with God is a holiday or holy day (Not necessarily celebrated by my employer).
So I have decided that this year my New Year’s resolution will be — to resolve every day to call to mind, “Because of the LORD’s great love I am not consumed, for his compassion never fails. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’ The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”
This will be my hope. The true and living God will be the One I seek. And Lamentations 3:21-26 will be my memory verses today.
Happy New Year. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NIV)