Psalm 98:1
Stop.
Take a moment to reflect on your year. Where did you feel joy? Where did you struggle? How can you offer it all to God right now?
Listen.
O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gained him victory. – Psalm 98:1
Reflect.
It’s New Year’s Eve. For some, it’s a time for celebration, an opportunity to rejoice in the abundance of the year gone by and to welcome the joys of the year ahead. For some it’s a time of grief, a way to mark all that has been lost and looking towards what must be endured. For others, it’s a way to mark a change in life and of heart, setting new goals and ambitions for a new year.
No matter how it feels to you, it probably feels like a lot of pressure. After all, it’s just another day. You will be no different tomorrow than you are right now. Some of those sorrows and joys will come with you and some will fade away. Any resolutions you make won’t snap in place within 24 hours. Be gentle with yourself.
Whatever your goals or griefs are, remember that God goes with you in them. God’s blessings don’t come only from good things. God’s blessings are in all things. That’s God’s promise: that no failure or achievement can keep you from God’s love and care. It was true in 2022 and it will be so in 2023.
So give yourself some space today to claim that promise. If you’re thinking about resolutions, claim them as acts of faith that celebrate God’s goodness and show appreciation for God’s gifts. If you’re ready to kiss this year goodbye, release it to God’s care and breathe. If you’re hyped up about how well your year went, make sure you watch for all the ways God cared for you through it. And if it’s just too much to think about a New Year, remember that God was there last year and will be there again next year. After all, it’s just another day in which God can do marvelous things.
Pray.
Thank you for this year, God. Keep me centered in your promises for life for me and all your people. Help me to follow you every day and year that follows, so that whether times are hard or hopeful, I can always trust in your presence. Amen
Carry On.
Many people make regular prayer or Bible reading into a resolution. Habits stick best when paired with existing habits. Can you pause to pray before you eat breakfast? Can you add 10 minutes of Bible study with your lunch?