Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

With the fresh start of a New Year, it’s a great feeling to visualize the year ahead as a “clean slate” ~  a brand new period of time in which we can aspire to achieve certain goals, a renewed time of enthusiasm and expectations.  We look forward to the coming months with eager anticipation about what the next 365 days will bring.

The beginning of a New Year is also a good time to ask God to “clean house” in our hearts.  As we seek God’s desire in our lives for the coming year, we should also ask Him to clean our hearts and renew our spirits.  Perhaps there’s a build-up of sin in our lives that could hinder our efforts for Him.  There could be bitterness lodged in the cracks and crevices.  A thick coating of an unforgiving nature might be smothering our spirit.  There might be harmful habits or relationships that should be purged.    Or perhaps we are constantly replaying negative thoughts or lies in our minds that need to be erased.  Regardless of what type of cleansing is necessary, God is well-equipped to handle it.

The same God who created the heavens and earth can create a clean heart in you.  No matter how deep the “dirt” and “grime” might be in your life, your heavenly Father is capable of wiping it clean.  So call on God for some “housekeeping services” as we begin the new year.  Ask Him to create a clean heart in you.  After the thorough heart cleansing, your spirit will be renewed, refreshed, revived and ready for action in the year ahead.