Ok, 2014, here you are...
And here I am: humbled, broken, hopeful, excited...
Isn't that the state in which we are all year long? If you think about it, there's really no difference between the beginning of the year and the rest of it. We might get a bit of a high from the cliche phrase "new year--fresh start", but, really, that is a trap. A mental trap with social pressure and unrealistic standards.

Right around the first week of January, I read a great quote on Deeply Rooted Magazine Facebook page:

"Renewal is rooted in faith, not in resolutions! They are made for New Year's and forgotten on an average of thirteen days later, say the surveys. Faith is the result of a decision about Christ. I cannot make a new me or a new you, but Christ can make you new and me new, as well, if we decide for Him." 

Frank Harrington

It stuck with me: instead of saying "this year, I'm gonna change myself", I choose to say "I PRAY that this year, God (!!!)...will change me". What a difference it makes if you change just a few words. The whole perspective of "DIY" is shifted to release control and realize that our lives are not our own. God made us, and we are His.

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. (Psalm 100:3 KJV)

So what am I getting at...
Change is good.
It's inevitable, and it's not always welcomed or pleasant.
But if we stayed the same, it wouldn't know the sweet presence of The Lord in our lives.
How so?
The answer is His Grace.
It's so amazing that we, humans, are not even able to fully grasp the magnificence of it...Only when we are united with God and made perfect in Him, we can. For now, we all are the same: fallen people...broken, sinful, and so-so full of pride. SO full of it. Even the kindest souls are still corrupted with selfish thoughts and desires. Out of those desires come selfish deeds and simple "innocent" white lies. But even these little mischievous actions or seemingly fleeting negative thoughts are still just as sinful as big and nasty ones. They hurt maybe not other people or not right away, but they definitely hurt God.
But God is there...right there in that moment of us committing the evil, big or small...And He doesn't leave us disappointed with our behavior...He's still there...And when we start feeling convicted and shameful of our actions and thoughts, when we humble ourselves, repent, and ask for forgiveness--He is there. Once sincerely asked, forgiveness is freely given. And we shall learn to accept it. And once we do, now that's the moment when we feel the presence of God...The moment of change of heart and a moment of joy within it that God knew and forgave. Even me.
God's grace in its glory...I am forgiven and given a new chance to start afresh, to learn from the mistakes, and to change.

The very core of Jesus' teachings is to change...to change your heart and, ultimately, to change your life. But HOW we approach change is the key. We cannot change ourselves, contrary to the ever so popular world views. But we can consciously decide to let God change us and renew us through Him.
Yet, it is also very important to stay true to our beliefs and constantly practice what we stand for. Not just on Sundays. Not just when we are with fellow believers.  But. All. The. Time. So while we let God change us, we must also remember to model our behavior and attitudes after Jesus in His consistency and perfection.

There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn't change--yesterday, today, tomorrow, he's always totally himself. (Hebrews 13:7-8 MSG)

One of the first January sermons at my church had this phrase in it: "let me be YOUR HANDS, Lord, and do Your will." What a humble and simple prayer...use me, be in me, change me, do Your will through me...A fitting one to start this year right.

Bring it on, 2014! :)