Do you take time at the beginning of each New Year to reassess your life? Do you set goals? Make plans for the coming year? Or do you just slip into the New Year hoping it all will be better this time around? Wondering which direction to take?
Would you tell me, please, which direction I ought to go from here?"
"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat.
~ Lewis Carroll
For me...some years I have spent a 'day of regret'. Looking back at all I have not accomplished from that list of goals from the previous year. Other years I have just slipped into the New Year with high hopes.
I'm not a New Year's resolution setter. Are you? I do think it's important to have goals. But the older I get the more I realize that my most important goal for the year needs to be focused on where God has me at the moment and where He is directing my path.
In Lewis Carroll's book, Alice asked the cat which direction to go. He replies, "that depends a good deal on where you want to get to."
So, where do you want to get to? I want to get to the place where my heart is in sync with God's will and I am walking out His purpose and calling on my life. Because when I'm not, I miss His peace. I miss His rest. I miss His assurance in the trials.
I've written my first article of 2022 for the Pretty & Wise website. (I hope you'll go over and check it out here: Don't Look Back). In the article, I talk a bit about some things I've learned in the story of Lot's wife. (You can find her story in the 19th chapter of Genesis). In short, Lot's wife has taught me to watch the direction of my longing heart. To pay attention to those things that have held my heart captive. And to turn back to God when the path has led me away from His Word and His will.
While we can refocus our attention and intentions anytime throughout the year, the New Year is the perfect time to reassess where we are in relation to the call of God on our lives. I decided a few years back that instead of a New Year's resolution, I would pray each year sometime in December for God to show me the One Word He wanted me to focus on for the upcoming year. I wanted to know what He was calling me to in the New Year. Was it a new concept? Something to focus on that would lead me closer to Him?
I know that many people choose a word or a phrase for the year, but I wanted this to be from God and not my own choice. I don't want to pick a word as a goal or an aspiration to achieve. I want to hear from the Holy Spirit and keep in step with Him through this year-long One Word journey.
This year I had not even thought to pray about my One Word, but God just dropped a word on me. MOVE. Wow . . . I'm expecting the unpacking of this word to be quite a ride! Pun intended. I'm hoping I'll be able to share insights as to where this word leads as the year progresses. I do so love an adventure. Don't you?
I'm extremely thankful that we get to look at each new year as a fresh canvas. White as the newly fallen snow outside my window. God gives us a fresh canvas each and every morning. Each and every time we come to Him in repentance. No matter how bad we may have messed up, He is there waiting for us to turn around and walk back into His loving embrace.
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23).
I know that God has called me to write . . . and so this year I pray He continues to give me clarity so that my writing will continue to call others to the very heart of God. Will you keep me in your prayers as I refocus on my call to write this year?
Where has God called you? Whether you choose new goals or one word, I want to encourage you as you plan for the new year ahead. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to direct your paths. Don't leave God behind. If you do, you'll find yourself exhausted. Wait for Him and follow His lead. It's in Him you will find the strength to walk out His purposes for you in the year ahead. There are good works that God has specifically planned for you. We are assured of this in Ephesians;
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. ~ Ephesians 2:10.
Whether you take a day, a half-day, or even an hour to think about the year ahead, let me encourage you from God's Word.
Wait on Him.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. ~ Isaiah 40:31
Let God show you the way.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. ~Psalm 32:8
Acknowledge that His ways lead to the right path.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. ~Proverbs 3:6
Know that it's okay when God's plan trumps ours.
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. ~Proverbs 19:21
Be assured that when your delight is in God, He will take your hand and lead you forward.
The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. ~Psalm 37:23-24
It is my prayer that you will trust that the plan God has in store for you in the year ahead will be for your good and His glory!
Don't forget to head over and check out my latest post at Pretty & Wise. Just click on the pic below to get there.
