A New Way to Plan for the New Year

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2nd Chronicles 7:14 NIV

As another year in the life came to a close for me, I like maybe countless others found myself reflecting on what was in the year 2014.  And like years past, it was a year like no other; it contained its share of good times, bad times, surprises, and losses.  Yes, these sort of events can be expected every year God allows us to continue to take breath, but it's the particulars of these events that make our lives interesting.

It was an exciting year for me as I've not known before!  It wasn't all just exciting in having a multitude of blessings come my way, though they did.  It was exciting in the not so great times as well.  I made wonderful discoveries that made me smile, but I also made shocking discoveries about myself that I wouldn't necessarily brag about in a public forum.  Yet, still exciting were these discoveries because I was blessed to experience first hand God's presence and movement in those not so joyous occasions.  Don't get me wrong, God has answered many a prayer in my life, but during a crisis of faith, God showed up and answered IMMEDIATELY!  It was what I needed at that time.

As I looked onto the sunrise of 2015, I was reminded to give reverence to whom reverence is due, to truly give in to renewal by understanding that I could not start anew without seeking the face of the One who would ensure that I would actually see 2015.

We are often cavalier about our hopes, plans, and dreams for each in-coming new year, but consider this, is it wise to shut out our Creator, when we have no real guarantee that we'll see it?  Who are we to enter in even another day without humbling ourselves and pray to the Author and Finisher of our faith for guidance on those very hopes, dreams, and desires? I can attest that God has shown me in my life that I need to be in open communication with Him every step of the way.  After all, God knows the future, He knows my future-why would I not humbly come before Him?  

Part of coming to God, is to come before Him in a humble manner; recognizing that on our own we are thoroughly unworthy.  Our first desire should be to repent, to seek God for forgiveness.  If we confess our sins to God, He can ALWAYS be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away.  It's in the Word!  We ought not take this powerful promise lightly; if your life is feeling stagnant you may be in need of divine forgiveness!  

God promised that when we come correctly to Him in humility and repentance, God will be listening,  and we get forgiveness and healing!

It is an incredible feeling to know that God is listening; it's more than a hope, it's a guarantee!  It is an opportunity to have an intimate moment for renewal, restoration, and healing!  I don't know about you, but what better way to start the new year with each new day, than to humble ourselves, and seek the face of the God who holds our future!

Blessings!