Here we stand at the end of January 2023. Did you make New Year’s Resolutions this year? Do you thrive on making resolutions and sticking to them or do you forget about them a few weeks later? What about your ministry? Did you make goals for the new year?
I remember years ago several of my friends talking about their “word” for the year. One of my friends chose the word “peace” and another friend chose the word “family.” I didn’t have a word. I guess you could say I had FOMO (fear of missing out) as I really wanted a word. I think I chose something that year, but honestly by February that word was long forgotten.
Things were different for me New Year’s 2019. I sat down with my Bible and notebook to think about the new year. God gave me the word “Surrender” as I sat on my couch that day. He then led me to the verse found in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” I began to think about the word “Surrender” and thought about what that word truly meant. To me it meant giving it all to Him. Not trying to run on my own strength, but to be completely dependent and obedient to Him. The year before had been a challenging year. I had goals and dreams, but I realized I had tried to accomplish them on my own. God was gently teaching me that I needed to “Surrender” my plans to His -to let go and let Him lead me. I was waving the white flag and clinging to my Creator and Savior. God brought that word to my heart repeatedly in the year 2019. It was a pivotal season in my life, and I am grateful God gave me that word that year that prepared me for the upcoming season in my life.
Do you have goals for 2023? Do you have a word? Maybe it is not a word. Maybe it is a Scripture that God is pressing on your heart for a new year. What is He wanting to teach you during this season? Are you listening? Are you willing to sit at His feet and allow Him to speak life and truth into you? What about the ministry that you lead? What is God preparing you for this next year? Think about your family, your friends, your community, your church. How might God want to use you in 2023? Are you ready to surrender everything to Him and let Him lead through you? I encourage you to take the beginning of this new year to reflect on the past and allow God to lead you for the future.
We are praying for you as you begin a new year in your ministry! Thank you for choosing Bible Studies for Life. We pray that these resources will help you lead preschoolers, children, and families in your church and community. We are here to serve alongside you! Please reach out if I can help in anyway at [email protected].
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