If you asked me to pick a time of year I love the most, I might just have to say the new year. There is something that feels so good in the depth of my soul to embrace a new beginning while taking stock of what God has accomplished in and through me over the previous 365 days. Maybe that’s because I am a long-term thinker who happens to struggle with focus and attention to details.
The process of prayerfully meeting with God at the end of each year to jot down goals built around biblical values helps me focus on the Lord’s purposes, and eventually see His divine orchestration in my life. That’s the best part . . . 365 days later.
Have you had a habit of connecting with God for a year-end review and year-ahead game plan? Or is it something that feels too daunting? Friend, let me encourage you to consider the impact of getting intentional with God in this practical way. It’s not about giving the Lord a “to do” list and expecting His results, but rather meeting with your Heavenly Boss to gain vision and clarity about your purpose for the year.
It’s about looking closely to see where He is at work so that you can join Him in it.
That’s really the starting point we all need, don’t we? Finding God’s purposes, so that our lives are an overflow of His work. It’s not about our agenda, but rather His. So, my friend, may I challenge you to take the time to consider your starting point for 2017?
As you sketch out your plans and goals, wouldn’t you agree that most important one to consider is how you’ll nurture your relationship with God?
In the same way, it’s beneficial to have a starting point on your year, it’s also critical to know your starting point for each day.
I describe this “starting point” in Meet the New You, as a way of focusing on cultivating a deep relationship with God through developing a habit of meeting with Him and being in the Word every day. Using the Starting Point approach, you get to set a grace-filled plan into motion by making choices that based on what works for you:
- What version of the Bible will you read? Online or in print?
- What book in the Bible or Bible reading plan will you concentrate on for January or throughout all of 2017?
- Where and when will you spend your time meeting with God each day?
