At the start of each new year, I
like to set aside some uninterrupted time to seek the Lord…remembering what He
has done in the year that has just passed and looking forward to the next. I can easily forget things over the course of
a year, so I find this exercise very useful to remind myself of the
faithfulness of the Lord in my life.
To start, I look back at things I wrote in my journal; and since I am not very consistent at journaling, I find that using a ‘real’
calendar is very helpful in remembering events of the year…one with spaces big
enough to write in :-). If I don’t have time
to write things in my journal, I jot a note on my calendar. Then, usually early in January of the new year, I try to find
time to look back at my calendar and my journal and remind myself of what the
Lord has done.
I started doing this several
years ago and still find it helpful. It’s
sort of like taking an inventory of my life….seeing where I was and looking
forward to where I hope to be this next year.
So, I have posted it here to anyone who would like to use it for
themselves. I pray it will bring
encouragement and a renewed commitment to your walk.
1. After spending time in prayer and asking the
Lord to speak to you, think back over the past year and reflect on where you
were spiritually then. What were you
going through? How was your relationship
with God? What were you feeling about
God and spiritual things? What did you want to see God do in your life?
2. Look through any study notes or things you
have written down during the year and review things that God was showing
you. What things did He encourage you
in? What things did He admonish you
in? What things did He specifically show
you to do? Have you been faithful to
remember those things and apply them to your life? If yes, how have you applied them? If not, make a commitment to do so and write
a note to yourself that will help you
remember.
3. As you look back on the year behind you ,
can you see how the Lord has been faithful to you in many ways? Can you see areas of spiritual growth that
you didn’t even realize were there? Take time to thank the Lord for all He has
done in you this past year.
4. Write out any verses that were especially
meaningful to you. Have you committed
them to memory? Do you know where to
find them in the Bible to share them with someone else?
5. Now look forward to the coming year. What things do you want to see God do in your
life this next year? Spend time
listening to Him and see if He gives you a direction for the year ahead. It could be a verse that you feel He is
impressing on you for the year, or something you feel He is wanting to do in
you or a commitment He wants from you.
6. Spend some time committing the year to Him and thanking Him for all He is
going to do. Only He knows what this
year will bring, but He has promised to be faithful and bring us through all He
sets before us. Never forget that He is
your loving Father and desires only good for you.
7. Choose a verse for the year that you will
memorize and hang on to during this year.
May God
richly bless you this year as you seek to respond to Him with your whole heart
and whole life.
