New Year's Day is About Choices

At the end of one year and the beginning of a new one is a time of reflection for most people. Life is ultimately about choices. What will I become? Where am I headed? What do I need to change? The start of a new year I think begs us to ask these questions because in our hearts it makes us feel like we have some semblance of control over the very thing we cannot control: the passage of time. I have seen a lot of discussion/posts on social media regarding choices for the New Year. Many of them resound with the theme of not taking anything into the new year, "that didn't serve you in the last." The problem with this way of thinking is that scripture tells us our hearts are deceptive, very easily led astray, and inclined to pride. What 'serves' me best, is probably not where my focus should be if I am seeking a healthy faith walk. As Christians, I think a better way is asking ourselves, "What in my life last year didn't serve God and his calling for me?"

In meditating more about this New Year's dilemma, the Lord led me to a passage of scripture in Leviticus. (I know, crazy choice for a New Year's mantra?!)  The passage talks about obedience to God's word and the subsequent rewards that follow in our lives.

"Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it. I am the Lord your God. Observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for my sanctuary. I am the Lord.If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands....I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. You will still be eating last year’s harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new." 

After reading it I had this thought: What if at the end of the year you were still so overwhelmed with God's blessings or favor, that you had to make room for new ones? Don't just think about this in worldly terms, such as financial or physical prosperity. Although God can certainly bring that too. Think about the blessings that flow from the fruit of a Spirit filled life: goodness, kindness, faithfulness, self-control, peace, love, and joy. That's the kind of New Year's inventory I want to take!  So how does that happen? The answer is through obedience that comes from reverence for God's word. As James 1:22 tells us, "Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." 

My Word Reminder for 2019

We are each given a certain measure of days on this Earth. At times one might not like the hand you've been dealt, but everyone has the power in the midst of any circumstance to choose how you will deal with it. Being able to choose wisely and in faith, is something that is divinely given. Proverbs 1:7 tells us that "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Wisdom is being able to see the outcome of a decision before it is made; only God has that ability. Why? Because He is the only one in the present and in the future at the same time.  It requires a unique discernment and judgement. To make the right choices, especially the ones that are going to provide the kind of blessings mentioned above, you need wisdom that only He can give. This is what led me to my word for 2019: REVEAL. The definition of the word reveal is "to make known through divine inspiration."

But here is the best news! Even though the real ability to make wise choices going into a new year only comes from God, He gives it away freely! James 1:5 tells us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
Looking back on 2018, I was reminded of my word for that year. It was Focus. Last year God asked me to look at things differently than I had in the past. My life was in transition; I needed a new perspective. The truth is this: how you look at things will change the things you look at. So to me, it naturally makes sense that the next year in 2019 with clearer focus, God works on revelation. I compare it to looking under a microscope. First you have to focus your eyes in the proper direction, and then through divine inspiration, God will adjust the lenses so that your eyes can see things that were once not visible. My part to play, is obedience through faith. I am believing that God is going to reveal both Himself and his wisdom for me, my children, and my husband as we move forward into 2019 in a big way.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for, and assurance in what we do not (yet) see. (Hebrews 11:1)
Happy New Year!