God’s Timing

Stop.

Close your eyes and envision the year to come. Breathe as you picture the year ahead. Envision God’s light shining on the year.

Listen.

The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps. – Proverbs 16:9

Reflect.

January 1 dawns bright and new for many people, full of the possibilities of new ideas and renewed resolve. Maybe you were even one of those people feeling energized by a new exercise routine, devotion schedule, or reading plan.  

However, even our best-laid plans can come crashing down quickly. By day two, even the most hopeful and well-intentioned resolutions can already start to feel stale, demanding, or simply unobtainable. If this is you, don’t worry – you’re in good company.  

God sees you for who you are and loves you right where you’re at. Whatever resolutions you make or keep don’t make you a better person. God’s love for you today is the same as it was yesterday or last week or a month from now. God will continue to guide you no matter how many times you get distracted or disappointed. You can make plans, and sometimes they’ll even work, but God will go with you either way. 

Trust in God’s timing and guidance. Even if your New Year isn’t off to a great start, you can trust that God’s love will carry you. You don’t have to earn it. The gift of God’s love and strength will always be yours.

Pray.

God, sometimes I feel undeserving or not good enough. Take this shame and guilt from me. Remind me that you carry me through and make me worthy. Guide me in what I need to do to faithfully follow you. Amen.

Carry On.

You can make a resolution any time of year! What’s one thing you want to be able to do this year? How will you give that plan to God and work on it faithfully?