Happy New Year!

One of the things my family (and our friends who gather with us on New Year’s Eve) have come to expect and sometimes dread is the time I call “Year in Review.” So here is what I do. At some point on New Year’s Eve, usually after midnight, we gather in a comfortable space. Then I usually ask the questions: “When was God most present to you this past year?” and “What will this new year bring?”

Every year, (this year was no exception) I get the same response – initially a lot of groaning and rolling of eyes, and that’s from my friends. I won’t tell you what my family says. But I push through and soon we are going around the room praising God and dreaming about how God will use us in this year to come. By doing this annual ritual we set goals and we become accountable to one another. I love it and, whether they admit it or not, my family and friends love it too. What an amazing way to start the year – with the sense of being heard and encouraged, and being accountable. It makes running the race and getting to the finish line that much more rewarding.

So let me ask you …

When did you see God at work in your life in 2019? Thank Him, Praise Him for how God has carried you through yet another year.

How will you allow God to use you this year? What does God want you to do for Him, for others and for yourself in 2020? What will it look like?

One thing I know for sure is that God wants amazing things for you. You are a child of God and God loves you. We are reminded of this truth in scripture. Check these out. Matthew 6:30, John 3:16-18, Deuteronomy 23:5, Revelation 1:6

Probably one of my favourite verses is found in Jeremiah 29. Verse 11 says:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.

That is the kind of God that we have – a God who wants to love you, to protect you, to cherish you, and to prosper you. All we need to do is to be open to it. All we need to do is respond to God’s love to us by being faithful and obedient. All we need to do is love God back.

I am excited by all that God has in store for each of us in 2020!! May this New Year be a year of Praising God!

To God be the Glory for the things He has done … and the things He will do.

May I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Blessed New Year. May your vision of what God would have you do be 20/20!