A New Year’s Prayer

In this brand New Year that you’ve given to me,
Help me to be exactly what you want me to be.
Help me to not run ahead or fall behind,
But serve you faithfully in soul, body, and mind.

I know that you’ll be there to lead and direct,
And help me to follow and do what is correct.
And when I’ve done all that it seems I can do,
Help me to rest and leave the results up to you. Amen
- Author Unknown

Preparing for the New Year…

If you are facing the kaleidoscope of moving in 2008, or if you have recently moved and just begun to put the pieces of your life back together, now is the time to stop and take an inside look at the preparedness of your heart!

For movers, a good visual is to picture your heart as a home with many rooms. Have you prepared the rooms of your heart for the New Year and for what lies ahead? Perhaps you have closed off a room that holds the sadness of leaving behind beloved friends and family. Maybe there is a room of fear for what the future holds, and that fear is keeping peace from your heart. There could be a room of chaos filled with to-do lists, or a room of exhaustion that prevents joy from entering in. You might even have a room stacked with unopened boxes of hurt, unforgiveness, bitterness, and anger. If you don’t take the time to exam and prepare your heart emotionally and spiritually for the New Year, your heart will be like a home that is empty of love, peace, joy, and contentment.

These are four ways to begin preparing for the New Year. They are foundational for all the rooms of your heart.

Remember who accompanies you...
In any change or transition, you are not alone. God assures us that His presence goes with us, and even ahead of us. Even when you feel alone and overwhelmed, be reassured through God’s word that He is with you always. His presence can bring peace to your life. You can prepare a room in your heart with this scripture: The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. - Deuteronomy 31:8

Recall God’s faithfulness...
Oh how easy we forget! We become so consumed in doubt and fear that we forget God’s faithfulness of the past. He will always meet our needs, although not necessarily all of our wants. (Philippians 4:19) Prepare a room in your heart with faith, not sight. (II Corinthians 5:7)

Count your blessings...
Regardless of your circumstances, or what the year might hold, you can find the blessings in your life. Put aside all the “what ifs” and the ”if onlys” and start counting. Instead of having a pity party, have a praise party! Changing your focus can make the difference between being discontented and being content. Wallpaper a room in your heart with Psalm 118:24 (NIV): This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Stay grounded in what is important...
Are you listening to the voice of the world telling you all the things you have to do and say? Are you listening to society telling you how to look and act? Try listening to the voice of God as He tells you to follow His direction and listen to His wisdom. God’s to-do list is short, just Come, follow me (Matthew 19:21 NIV). He also says, Abide in Me (John 15:4) and everything else will fall in place. Prepare a room in your heart with God’s word to keep you rooted and grounded in His love (Ephesians 3:17 ).

And, most important...
Don’t forget to start the year off with a pure heart by unpacking that room with all those boxes of unforgiveness, anger, hurt, and bitterness. Write these words on every room of your heart: Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31-32).