Choose Love in The New Year

Post published:January 1, 2026
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Choose Love

Happy New Year, 2026 is here. We don’t know what this New Year holds, and we will not choose much of what comes at us this year. But we can trust and believe that God is in control. The truth is, there are not many things in life that we have control over. There is, however, one thing that you do have complete control over, and that is your attitude. The attitude that you choose will determine whether or not you have a Happy New Year.

Every time the sun comes up, we can say, “This is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice in it.” Because of what the Lord did on the cross, you can choose how you will face the day. So, as you enter the New Year, when you rise in the morning, choose these things.

Choose love. Not because people are lovable, but because Jesus loves people. He said, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you because nothing anyone can do to you justifies hatred.

Choose joy. you can make a choice not to be cynical or pessimistic. Remember, all things work together for good to those who love the Lord.

Choose peace. Know that true peace comes from being forgiven and the forgiving of others.

Choose patience. Don’t complain if the line is long and you have to wait, thank God for a few minutes to rest and pray.

Choose kindness. Always be kind to those who are unkind to you, and you will get a kick out of their reaction.

Choose faithfulness. Be faithful to your spouse, your children, your coworkers, your debtors, and yes, always be faithful to your God.

Choose gentleness. Take nothing by force, raise your voice only to praise God, clench your fist only to pray, and if you must make demands, make them of yourself.

Choose self-control. Be drunk only on joy, be impassioned only by your faith, be influenced only by God, be taught only by Jesus, and be led only by the Holy Spirit.

If you are a child of God, then you are a spiritual being. So, remember, the things of this world will perish; don’t let them dominate things that are eternal.

And remember, always choose Love.

“This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Matthew‬ 22‬:38‬-39‬ NKJV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Douglas Huff. From Down Where The Pavement Ends

Pavement Ends Ministry

After years of serving in a pastoral role in several churches, I retired from leading a church full time, but wanted to stay active in preaching the Gospel. I started writing brief, parable-like devotions that were shared through a radio ministry. At the end of the radio spot, I always invite people to come and see me “down where the pavement ends.” (Which comes from the fact that I literally live at the end of a paved road!)