Build A Future

By Garry Cook, M.Div., LCSW

“…Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

The New Year is here.  It’s just another day, right?  Time didn’t end on December 31.  All the bills you had on December 31, you still have on January 1.  Medical problems don’t disappear on the last day of the year.  The shoes you wore at year’s end are most likely the shoes you wear on the first day of the new year.

And yet, there is something about New Year’s celebrations that make it seem as though something entirely new has shown up full of hope and possibilities.  Symbolically, this is true.  The New Year can become a time for setting new goals, developing greater hope, pushing for greater effort at new and old ventures.  This hope is casually viewed as something time offers to us without our effort.  However, the greatest hope comes, not from without, but from within.  We may find the gift of faith gives us the strength to push forward and take calculated risks to make our lives better, deeper, livelier.

Better lives don’t just happen; they are developed with effort and intent.  Meet the new year with your desire to conquer old problems.  Arise on January 1 with the determination to increase your level of joy.  Put the hope for a better marriage into action.  Work on increasing your level of love and compassion.  Decide you will finally put old fears in their place with striving toward confidence.

All worthy goals deserve our best efforts.  Such efforts are continuous and intentional.  Sometimes they warrant getting assistance from a partner: a pastor, an advisor, trusted friends, a therapist, a doctor, a professional.  Setting goals and objectives, time lines, and review dates can be very helpful.  When there is success or goal completion, share your hard effort and successes with others.  And celebrate!  May you build a rewarding New Year!  May your future be full of intentional growth.  “Behold, all things are becoming new.”