N.E.W. Y.E.A.R.

The entry of a New Year has different meaning to people of different backgrounds. Many celebrate it with pomp and festivities. Others take time out in solitude and ponder about the future. Some simply let the first day of the year slip by just like any other day. There are those who visit places of worship seeking divine guidance.

My take on the New Year comes in the form of breaking the code on the two words "New Year": N stands for New Stage; E for Emerge; W for Warrant; Y for Yearn; E for Enlighten; A for Act and R for Reflect.

New Stage
A new dawn; a new chapter; a new beginning; a New Year; a New You. The great thing about being a faith believer is that we can always be reborn. The past year had its share of good times and bad; victories and failures; joy and suffering – but we should be grateful that we are here and now. Today is the first day for the rest of our lives. Look around you -- see, smell, taste, hear, feel the beauty of the world, the wonder of life, the promise of the Lord.

Emerge
We carry with us the burden of sin in the year we left behind. If we do not repent and confess, the load of transgressions will remain with us everyday of our lives. Through Christ, we are given the opportunity to emerge from the murky waters of sinfulness to the sparking shores of hope. We can shine once more in the eyes of God.

Warrant
We should not abuse the kindness and love of God. He does forgive us of our sins, but if we do not change our evil ways, it may be too late for us to be saved. (For death is certain, it is the time that is uncertain.) He meant us to be perfect; and as such we should strive to be. We are guaranteed a place in His Kingdom; in return we must warrant our belief and our faith in Him, and profess our love for Him not just in our thoughts but most importantly through our deeds.

Yearn
What do we want with our lives? We not only need to learn about ourselves more, but thirst for the wisdom to know the purpose for which we were created to be. People take a lifetime to search for their life mission, yet it is right under our noses, it is in our hearts. Life’s meaning is imprinted in the soul, the tie that binds us to our Maker. Let that desire; that yearning burn strongly in the heart.

Enlighten
The path towards enlightenment is in God’s Word. He reveals His plan for each one of us in the Holy Bible. He speaks to us through the prophets, through the apostles, through Jesus Christ. By praying, and reading His Holy Word, we engage in a personal conversation with God. He leads us the way in calm moments, more so in troubling times. He reveals the gifts we each possess, all for the purpose of serving His people, of glorifying His name.

Act
The realisation of God’s will for us is by doing. His Word should be alive through our deeds. We ought to touch others people’s lives using the gifts bestowed upon us. It is our conduct at home, at school, at work where we become genuine ambassadors of Jesus Christ. It is in the ordinariness in circumstances and situations that the extraordinariness of God needs to be revealed through our actions.

Reflect
We have a tendency to easily forget our mistakes that make us bound to commit the same. It is ideal that we find time to reflect on what we have done with our day, with our life. In moments of stillness, count your blessings, relish the wonderful deeds and repent on sins and wrongdoings. Talk to the Lord that He will shield you from the devil and that He grants you another day to fulfil His will on earth, as it is in Heaven.

by Mel Libre