“God, make a fresh start in me … Unbutton my lips, dear God; I’ll let loose with your praise. Psalm 51:10a,15 MSG.” New Year, new me.

Resolution time almost seems pointless, doesn’t it? How many promises have been made to eat less, lose weight, exercise more, live better, cuss less, put family first and on and on and on the list can run.

The problem is often that we don’t really want to do these things. We very well may need to lose weight, exercise, get involved, go to church, etc., but if our heart isn’t truly in it — then it ain’t gonna happen or last. That stings a little doesn’t it? So what is it going to take?

It takes knowing and meaning. To know I need an adjustment is the beginning, but I also need to mean what I am seeking. The best place to start with any item is God. Having trouble with a relationship? Put God and His desires at the front. Need to fill a void in your life? Make sure God is the lead. Even wish to lose weight? Add a great devotion and prayer time to your daily routines. Find a place where you will be fed the Word of God truthfully in ways to challenge you to read and grow and get active there. All right, all right, all right — but how/ where do I start? Great question! Start with this prayer of king David. After he had an affair with Bathsheba, and after Nathan the prophet confronted him, David prayed “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation; Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise.” Psalm 51:10-15, NASB. Start right there. Ask God to forgive the past and then seek to grow in God and His way. Forget what society says. Forget what folks may gossip about. Forget past hurts, failures, pains. Move on. Seek that fresh start in God. Ask God to unbutton your lips that you will help spread the joy He promises to fill you up with.

Want a New Year/New you? Start at the only place that makes a difference: In God. Lord, create in us this clean, fresh start. In Jesus name, amen. #bethegood

Rev. J. Cameron Bailey is pastor of Kenbridge Christian Church. He can be reached at jamescameronbailey@gmail.com.