A new year—or a new day whenever it comes—inspires me to take a stand for something. I know I’m not alone in that. It’s a milestone or marker that separates the past from the future. I look back on what was before and then choose to step forward into what will be. It’s a moment that calls for action—but not just any movement—a decisive, strategic movement. It’s the perfect moment for a manifesto.

Some enjoy making resolutions. I resolve this year to be a better person. I resolve to stop doing this, or start doing that. I resolve to not resolve. For me, the exercise of resolutions is at once too small and too unattainable. Can we resolve ourselves to perfection? I’m quite sure I can’t. Yet, there’s something right about recognizing in that milestone moment, the impulse to change something—to turn away from darkness and create light.

It’s a profoundly creative moment. In the beginning… there was nothing, and then God spoke. That’s some pretty decisive, strategic movement. Light, life, everything is created by that movement. Darkness is the original status quo, and light marks the new day. That kind of creativity—if only in part—is within each of us.

This New Day

I don’t think resolutions are bad. Of course I desire to improve me—to whatever extent that’s possible—but I yearn for a better world, not just a better me. Today, I’m longing for something on a grander scale that will impact more than myself.

Rather than starting—and ending—with our own broken selves, let’s commit to something larger. Let’s look to our families and friends, our neighbors, our communities—and determine to move beyond ourselves to make a positive impact on the world around us. Together let’s say, “Welcome to the new day” and rise to the challenges around us. Let’s not ignore our own challenges, but prioritize helping others rise above theirs.

We can’t change the world by ourselves. Let’s invite others to join us, even if we’re the first to make a move. In doing this, we participate in a movement that’s making all things new.

So if your manifesto (like mine) isn’t quite ready yet, let’s resolve now to begin. Consider this our invitation.