Embracing Jesus in a New Year
Embracing a new year means something different to each of us. Many will be racing out of 2020 in full sprint. It was a hard year for so many. Job loss. Deaths to family and friends. Isolation. Changes in routine. Missing the normal way of life. Some look back to see how 2020 changed perspective and provided opportunities: More time for what matters most. Keeping their job. Their people were not impacted by coronavirus. No matter what camp you fall under, one thing we can all cling to is that God was faithful all year long, He has been and will always be.
I’m one of those people who loves doing an inventory of my life on the first day of the new year. I ask myself what areas went well the year before and what areas I want to change. I write these answers and list my goals in the notes section of my phone. I also look back at the year prior and assess how I did. Usually, some boxes are checked and some still empty. Probably sounds familiar to some of you, right?
This year, I have been thinking through making changes in the new year a little differently. My Thursday night Bible study will be studying 1 Corinthians. In order to prepare for the study, I have been reading through the book over the past month. Very similar to life in the United States, the Corinthian church was pursuing very worldly endeavors, distracted from God’s calling in their life. Paul spends time reminding them to live in love and focus on Christ, leaving behind their sinful, worldly habits.
Ouch. Do you see yourself in that even in the slightest? I know I do.
This year, my “resolution” is to really pray, evaluate and ask God to reveal the areas of my life that I need to leave behind. I have been taking inventory of the areas of my life such as spiritual, work, family, friends, health and finances. I need to be glorifying God in how I live in each of these areas.
Author and speaker Jennie Allen shared these questions to help us evaluate where we are right now:
What was this area of your life like before COVID?
What is it like now?
What could it look like?
I challenge you to answer these questions. It was so eye opening when I did to see where I had holes that needed to be filled by Jesus.
Some of you are in a place where this may be overwhelming because your life is devastated by trying circumstances. The idea of doing an inventory may be too much. But our God, El Roi -- translated from the Hebrew Bible as "the God who sees me" -- sees you and is there for you.
Just stop and pray. Ask Him to take those areas of your life and start anew this year. Being filled with Christ wholly is worth it. He is Faithful. When we give over these areas, He will redeem them and that is so much more than any resolution could do for us.
ABOUT OUR BLOGGER
Susan Veenema has been in education for 20 years supporting children with disabilities and their families and currently works for the Department of Education. Susan and her husband, Jeremy, love exploring Chester County with their two older biological daughters and three foster children. People are her passion.
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FIVE REASONS TO JOIN A WILLOWDALE WOMEN’S GROUP THIS JANUARY
Meet new friends
Ask questions of faith in a safe environment
Engage in thought provoking conversation
Explore more fully who Jesus is and why He's worth following
Discover it's more fun to do life in community!
CLICK HEREto view and/or register for our new winter women's groups. If you have any questions, please contact Carole Hoy at choy@willowdalechapel.org. We have a place for you!