Guidance for the new year occurs through looking back over the past year before moving forward into the new one.
Now is a good time to reflect on where you’ve been and what you hope to do in 2017.
Today I spent the day reviewing my 2016 planner, making note of progress or procrastination. Some projects were successful; others were not as effective. Year-end evaluation is helpful in shaping the direction for the future.
I encourage you to take some time to review last year. Consider these questions as you reflect on 2016:
What were your successes? Praise and thank God for them.
Did you have disappointments? If so, release them to God through prayer.
Were there revelations or surprises in the past year?
What is left undone that you can continue in the next year?
Look ahead to move into 2017 and ask these questions:
What do you hope to accomplish in the new year in these different areas of life:
How will you grow in your spiritual life through reading the Bible, prayer, fellowship, and serving?
How will you improve your relationships?
What steps will you take to maintain your health?
Write down your thoughts, and then use it as a guideline to create goals for the new year. Pray, asking God for a word or bible verse to guide you. In the next few days I’ll be seeking God for my word for 2017.
To prepare for the new year, look to the Lord and His unchanging word for guidance.
Reflecting on the past twelve months can provide guidance for the future year.
Beginnings push us to look forward. Endings force us to look backward. We need both. – Cec Murphy
Because life is unedited, we can look to the Lord and his strength as we begin the new year.
We can embrace God’s grace for the days ahead.
