GN Commentary: December 30, 2009 - ... And a Successful New Year!

Now is a good time to stop and ask ourselves about how this first year of a new decade is going to go. What will it hold for us? Will it bring resolutions or revolutions? And, perhaps most importantly, what can we do to control our future, our success, in 2010?

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Video Transcript

"We wish you a happy and successful new year!" How many times do we hear this, as the calendar runs out? Well wishes fly about like snowflakes. At times they mean something; sometimes they're just trite communication, rather like "have a good day."  

Whatever the use of the term "a successful new year," now is a good time to stop and ask ourselves about how this first year of a new decade is going to go. What will it hold for us? Will it bring resolutions or revolutions? And, perhaps most importantly, what can we do to control our future, our success, in 2010?

As we begin the New Year, it would be good to get a clear meaning for the term "success." One online dictionary defines it as "The favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors," or "the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like." No doubt these are aspirations we all have for the New Year, and for the new decade.

Many centuries ago, a national leader was about to undertake a huge new endeavor: not a new year, but a new homeland. Under the guidance of his predecessor, he had trained and prepared for his challenging new set of duties. When the great lawgiver Moses died, God commissioned Joshua to lead the young nation and reminded him of the path to success. Listen to these words God gave Joshua: "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful" (Joshua 1:7, 8, NIV).

The words of Joshua's commissioning should ring true for us as we enter the New Year. Our real success will come not from winning the lottery or a chance event, but from our relationship with our Creator, and from subjecting ourselves to Him and to His laws.

We encourage you to take time now to re-examine your relationship with God, and to re-commit to Him, and you will discover true success.

Have a happy and successful 2010.

For GN Magazine, I'm Ralph Levy.