Moving Into a New Year
Twenty-five years ago we entered a new millennium with a ton of hysteria! Much could be written about that time, but my thoughts in this season go to the fact that hardly anybody I knew, talked to, or heard ever said anything about 2025, the day and age in which we live now. In that day, 2025 seemed so far away, almost incomprehensible. I find myself now, in 2025, and hardly anybody I know, talk to, or hear from ever says anything about 2050. This is probably because, as Americans, we have pretty short memories. I marvel at how “history” sometimes is defined as 8-10 years ago whereas in other parts of the world, their history is many hundreds, even thousands, of years old.
While I can’t conceive of 2050 (when I turn 88 if Jesus hasn’t returned!), there is something I try to do each new year in January. I like to spend a little time trying to take stock of my spiritual life and relationship with the Lord. The first of the year is a natural time to do this as we often “turn the page” on a previous year and go “all-in” on the year to come. Back in October, Chris and I sat down and wrote out the various meetings we knew of then that would be coming up in 2025. It seemed that almost every month there was something important we either would have to lead, attend, or engage in. Since then we’ve added a few more that we didn’t even know about back in October!
Taking stock spiritually can sometimes be aided by pondering a few questions. Below are some I have collected, been asked, or thought about myself through the years. They have helped me get a baseline of where I am at with the Lord. The answers and reflections on these questions, also have helped me set direction in my own life as I seek to draw closer in love for the Lord and live out His will in my life. You may have other questions, but here are the questions I am working off of this year. (Again, not all are original with me, some I have collected, been asked, or just thought about myself through the years.)
- How am I doing, relationally, with the Lord in these days, versus last year at this time?
- Where am I seeing God work in my life in recent days?
- In what ways am I seeing God move in my life in recent days?
- What is capturing my heart, mind, and thinking mostly in recent days?
- What has been bringing me life, joy, and happiness in recent days?
- What is drawing the life out of me in recent days?
- What would I like to accomplish, spiritually, before the end of 2025?
- Are there any relationships the Lord has said I need to repair in 2025?
- What are two things I could change, with the Holy Spirit’s help, that would most benefit my spiritual life?
- Is there anything that I am doing that is hindering the work of God in my life?
Perhaps you have your own set of questions you use to take stock of where you are with the Lord, heading into 2025. In any event, maybe you can consciously set aside time to begin evaluating where you’ve been with the Lord this past year, and through prayer, discernment, and listening to Him, you can map out a concrete plan to see Him come alive in 2025 in a deeper way!
Happy New Year!
~Jonathan