Happy New Year!
The turning of the year on the calendar offers a chance to reflect on what has been and dream about what is to come. January 1st feels like a fresh start. People are quick to make resolutions about what they will do differently. People are determined to eat less, exercise more, be nicer to people around them, etc.
For many 2019 was hard and you are just glad that 2019 is over. For others 2019 was a exciting year of happiness, full of new beginnings, and you hope 2020 can be as good. Wherever you find yourself the one thing I can say with certainty is God is up to something new. He always is. He has more life, more abundance, more hope, more love, more of Himself that He wants you to get to know.
Isaiah 43:19 says “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
I love the way The Message translates Isaiah 43:19 “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?”
As the new year begins, I invite you to carve out some time to sit with God and these questions.
God, what am I holding on to that You want me to let go of? Is there old history that I need to stop rehearsing in my heart? Living Water, please wash away anything old that You don’t want me to hold onto anymore.
As I let go of what is past, awaken my spirit to be alert, present, and in perfect alignment with you. Give me eyes to see You. What do I need to see about You? God, what characteristic of Your nature do you want to show me in 2020? I want to know You.
God, what are Your hopes, dreams, and plans for me for 2020? You have plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future (Jer. 29:11).
What do I need to do to prepare my spirit, soul, and body for what You have planned?
Thank You, Father, that regardless of what I may face in 2020, things known and unknown to me, nothing takes You by surprise. You are my waymaker. You make a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Regardless of what 2020 brings, You will be with me. Help me stay close to You and learn of You.
