Well, here we are at the end of the first week of a new year. It’s funny how we measure our lives in years – from January to December or from birthday to birthday. It’s good to have measuring sticks so long as we don’t hang our every hope on them.
There was much in 2017 I hoped to accomplish but didn’t make it to my goal. I look back and see that some of those goals were unrealistic and some I made progress on but didn’t conquer completely. I often get to the start of a new year beating myself up for those things. As I was praying at the start of 2018 I was reminded of this verse:
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19
After reading & meditating on this verse I decided this year will be different. This year I am going to examine those things in 2017 that weren’t what I hoped, then use them as stepping-stones. I’m going to put them behind me and look ahead at what the Lord desires to do in me and through my life in the year ahead. Then I’m going to step out in faith, believing I CAN in His strength and wisdom.
As each year passes I find that much of life is a choice. Circumstances will happen to us but how we will respond is our choice. We will sometimes struggle and won’t always choose the best way but we can learn from those experiences and choose differently the next time.
Most years I don’t make resolutions but I set goals. This year I am going to do both. I’ll share more on the goals in a later post but I wanted to share my resolutions with you now.
In 2018 I resolve:
- To choose to see the best in others even when I have to look past perceived faults.
- To choose peace and joy in the midst of life’s puzzle, grounding myself in the truth of God’s promises even when I can’t understand how the pieces fit within the circumstances around me.
- To believe in the person God made me to be without doubt or compromise and to help others do the same.
What are your hopes and dreams for the new year ahead? Leave a comment below and I’ll pray for you!
Join me in resolving to believe in your dreams and make them happen!
Blessings and peace to you in this new year!
Paula
Paula Davis 