Practical tips for making space in our busy lives to praise the Lord for all that happened in the last year and to prepare for the things He will do in this new year.
Read MoreJenni Olowo | Jan 6, 2017, 20:55 PM
Practical tips for making space in our busy lives to praise the Lord for all that happened in the last year and to prepare for the things He will do in this new year.
There’s something so special about Christmastime. Our homes are filled with the smell of pine and cookies mixed together, other decorations are scattered all around, and families and friends gather — everything about the season feels full.
We celebrate the coming of the newborn King. We light candles and praise the Lord for the ultimate sacrifice of leaving heaven to come down and wear our skin. Even though we haven’t seen the fullness yet, He makes all things new.
Immediately following this season of fullness, this joyful triumphant ending of each year, we take down our decorations, family and friends travel back to their distant places, and we may experience a drastic emptiness compared to the weeks previous.
The new year is suddenly upon us.
Isn’t it a beautiful reminder of what we just celebrated? Jesus came as a baby to give us a new and fresh perspective on life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” The new year is a great time to reflect on the past year and the year to come. We may have faced disappointments and hopefully many victories in the past year and most of us get so busy we forget to pause and remember all that has happened.
Here are a few practical tips to prepare for the new year:
Use a Memory Jar. Simply take an empty can or jar and put it on your counter. Every time something memorable happens throughout the year, take a piece of paper, write down the memory, fold the paper, and stick it inside. It can be anything big or small. At the end of the year, you’ll dump out the jar and be amazed at the things you forgot throughout the year.
Connect with the Lord. Make space in this first month of the year for a deep, intimate time with Jesus. Lay before Him your burdens from the last year and the year to come. Ask Him if He has anything He desires for you to believe Him for in 2017.
Set Goals. Write down two to three measurable goals in different areas of your life. Ministry, home life, and connection with the Lord are a few helpful categories. Set one day a month to review your progress on the goals.
Refreshment. It’s essential that we take good care of ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. Decide at this starting point when you will make time for yourself consistently this year.
As we enter 2017, let’s take the time to praise the Lord for all He did in 2016 and walk forward together in anticipation of the new things and new creations that this year will hold.