We humans love a fresh start. We see it especially this time of year – “New Year, New You” logos fill gyms and health food stores. Trash bins overflow with sugary foods and pantries are restocked with healthy alternatives. I see it at the beginning of school years – new backpacks, new books, students resolved to do better this year, to not procrastinate, to study harder. In the spring, we turn over a “new leaf”, cleaning out our closets and garages and vowing to never let them get so full again.

This longing is quite biblical. Deep within all of us, we recognize we fall short. But this falling short is not a result of weight gain or homework postponed or clutter accumulated. It’s sin. This word makes our generation bristle. We want to blame the food or the teacher or the family. We want our problems to be rooted in someone or something else. And so we think changing our circumstances or our habits will make everything better. But it doesn’t, does it?

Without an acknowledgement of sin, weight loss can turn into pride; good grades can turn into stress; a clean house can turn into obsession. Or we fail at our resolutions and that turns into frustration and a feeling of being constantly defeated.

God has put within us an understanding of our sin because He loves us. Really. If we want a life that is abundant and full of joy, we must first recognize that we are sinners. God already knows it. And, deep within us, we do too. When we can stop blaming people and situations for our sins and simply confess them, we are in a place where real change can take place.

Lamentations 3:23 tells us that God’s mercies are new every morning. Not just January 1. Every morning. And the prophet telling us this did not have a life full of luxury and ease. In fact, Jeremiah experienced heartache upon heartache (the book is called Lamentations!). And yet, he is able to experience new mercies every morning. Why? Because he was looking to God, whose faithfulness is “great”.

So stop today and confess your sins – your gluttony or laziness, unforgiveness or pride. Stop trying to blame others. Stop looking to programs or people to “fix” you. We are all broken, friends, in many ways. But God delights in making whole what is broken. When we confess our sins, He forgives us (I John 1:9). And forgiveness is a mercy that will bring about more healing than anything we can imagine. Forgiveness is available every day. Every hour. God sent His Son so He could offer forgiveness to us. If you don’t know Him, remedy that TODAY. Talk to Him. Read his word. The Christmas season reminded us that God is with us. Surround yourself with those who are seeking Him with their whole hearts.

We don’t just get one chance a year to start over. Every day is a new beginning. No sin is so great that it cannot be forgiven. And no person is so great that he/she does not need forgiveness.