It's Another New Year

January 1st, 2011: It’s the first day of a new year, and like the first page of a blank book I get to decide what will be said, what will be written. I am not in control of what goes on in the world, but I am in control of what goes on in my head, and just as important, what I let out of myself and out into the world.

I can speak encouragement instead of negativity, and I can give love instead of judgement. I can seek to grow the world in beauty, instead of complaining of it’s ugliness. I hope and pray that I will do this.

While we often make resolutions to lose weight, save money, or read more books- and while these are all good things- I believe we can do great things. I believe we can change the world, and I believe that we can start changing the world today.

When I was young I planned to grow up, get rich, live in a big house and donate lots of money to starving people. I wanted to be noble in giving my money to those who really needed it, but now that I really am a grown-up and have very little money to give in comparison to my younger hopes, I am finding that the bottom line of my bank account does not determine my ability to change the world.

The homeless, broken, and starving wait for me not only in foreign countries, but also at the bottom of freeway ramps. A few bucks, a banana, a bottle of water, some chocolate- these are things I can hand these people through my rolled-down car window.

And I can also give them a handshake, a smile, an introduction, a prayer, and an arm around their shoulders. I can show them that I think they are worth my while no matter what they look like or smell like. I can give them my time and my love, not just my money.

In the little ways I found to try and change the world, I have discovered that those moments change me. When I seek to leave an impression of love in the world, those experiances leave an impression on me- one of serving, and the true joy that comes from it, which is far greater than any temporary happiness I ever found in seeking to please myself.

In this new year, this blank book which you have before you to write in, I challenge you to not only change yourself, but also the world.

”Is there nothing left now, nothing left to sing?

Are there any left who haven’t kissed the enemy?

Is this the New Year, or just another desperation?”

-The Blues by Switchfoot

I believe this new year has songs in it for us to sing. I believe there are those who have not kissed the enemy, who yet have faith in a world that is not too old to change. I believe this IS a desperation- this world is desperate, and we must not waste time.

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