One of the problems with the end of the old year and the beginning of a new one is that I stop and contemplate the old year's happenings. I tend to review the months and think of all of the things that I mishandled, left undone and should have thought more about before jumping into. I don't think I am that much different than most folks. I think we all do a certain amount of looking back. There is nothing wrong with that, it gives us a chance to take note of things we need to do differently or areas in which we need to grow.
With the start of a new year God has given us a chance for new beginnings. In one of our favorite stories, Anne of Avonlea the character at one point says, "Everyday is brand new, with no mistakes." I believe there is a lot of truth to that saying!
Reflection and contemplation also gives you a chance to remember some of the things you did well. I have to admit that I am on a crusade to encourage people to get to know God better in 2012. I firmly believe that the only way to get to know him better is to listen to him speak, in other words, read your bible. As I look back at the past year, one of the things for which I am thankful, is that I once again read through the bible. My wife and I encourage each other to read God's word daily. I don't know how may years we have been reading through the bible each year, but I know we have read through it more than 20 times.
Some might read that sentence and think, "I would get bored doing that." Do you know what is amazing? It is that every time we read through the bible, we learn new things! Every time you read it you are at a different place in your life, you have dealt with different struggles, you have grown in different ways and you have come to a different level of spirituality. Often we will do our bible reading and comment to one another about some new insight we have just come upon.
So, if you want to set some goals or perhaps a New Year's Resolution, let me suggest that you choose reading your bible every day, read it completely through this coming year. There are many daily reading plans available online or at your local Christian book store. Quite possibly your minister or church secretary will have one available to you. My wife and I use "The Daily Bible, in Chronological order," printed by Harvest House, but there are a large variety of Daily Bible's available, just look around for them.
Whatever it takes, whatever you need to use to help you in reading your bible, use it!
2012 is about new beginnings, why don't you challenge yourself to join with our family in letting God speak to you through his word! A changed world begins with you changing and you can only change when you let God change you. As David wrote in Psalm 1:1-3, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."
May our God bless you and keep you in the coming year of new beginnings!
