I do not know if I expect new and wonderful things just because a day shifts and a new year is ushered in. I like to think that every day will be better than the next. That does not always happen though…some days are, in fact, worse than the day or days before.
How do we deal with that reality? How does that fact that we will face disappointment impact our thoughts regarding the new year? The bible says:
For I’m going to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Don’t you see it? I will make a road through the wilderness of the world for my people to go home, and create rivers for them in the desert!
-Isaiah 43:19
What I am going to try and focus on going forward is the brand new thing that God is creating–not because we are entering a new calendar year, but because He is a good and gracious God, always making provisions for His children because He loves us.
I think I have struggled spiritually this year because I have been praying for some things that have not come to fruition. I have experienced periods of doubt and periods of drought in terms of my prayer life. What I want to focus more and more on is the ¨new things¨ that God is creating in my life–terminal degree, love, marriage, children, career advancement, financial peace… I will not be stifled by what is not yet, but being created. And so while I do not hinge all of what I think is possible in my life on the coming new year, I will use this opportunity to re-center myself and my thoughts.
I will continue to record next year´s blessings (Watch for our live broadcast as we review what has been recorded in this year´s blessing jar!), set goals, work to achieve those goals, spend time with my family, participate in pursuits that help me grow as a person, and anything else that I feel will contribute to a positive, productive, ¨discipled¨ life but not because it is a new year, but because it is what we are called to do and be–always improving ourselves, growing in God´s word, and sharing the Word with others.
