Wishing all our Daily Encounter readers a very Happy and Prosperous New Year. Obviously, the past is behind us. We can’t undo it even if we wanted to, but we can start the New Year with hope and purpose, keeping in mind the words of Minnie Haskins who said, “And I said to the one who stood at the gate of the year, ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the Unknown.’ And he replied, ‘Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.’”

I couldn’t think of a better way to start the New Year and, with God’s help, “Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you’ve always wanted to do but couldn’t find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don’t think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You’ll look ten years younger. Don’t be afraid to say, ‘I love you.’ Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world.^“2

As each year rapidly passes I’m becoming more aware of the fact that life is short for all of us. So be sure to make 2010 an investment in eternal values knowing that, in the words of the poet, we have “Only one life ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you for another New Year in which to serve you. Please help me to invest it wisely in eternal values so that when I stand before you face to face, I will hear your welcome words: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.’ Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV).
2. Ann Landers.