Just A Little More Alive

Today was the first day of the new year.  A brand new year.  The year of 2015 is in the books, and we get a fresh start.  Many of you know this quote by Brad Paisley: "Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book.  Write a good one."

I have this mental image pop into my head, whenever someone says, "fresh start."  And it is of a blank page, waiting to be written.  Now imagine with me that this page has been crumpled and burnt.  It is just a touch away from fading to ash.  This is us.  This is what we are without a redeemer.  We are merely a page ghosting into ash.. a blade of grass fading in a breathe of wind.  It seems hopeless and dark, but we have been promised the Redeemer, and have received that promise.

We can do nothing but try to tape that charred piece of paper back together, but it is all to no avail.  Only the promised Messiah can give us new life.  A new start.  A clean piece of paper.  Yes, there is a new year, but there isn't anything we can do to change and fix ourselves outside of Him.  The new year is simply a reminder of the beautiful new beginning we get in Him.  Nothing we can do can separate us from Him.  With God, we have a clean slate forevermore.

"So I prophesied as I was commanded.  And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone.  And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them.  But there was no breath in them.  Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live."  So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army." -  Ezekiel 37: 7-10 (ESV)

God has breathed new life into us, the shattered bones.  Ever since we have become His sons and daughters, we have become more and more like Him.  Every day that passes, we become just a little more alive.

I hope you have a blessed new year!