Here we are running through January as if the world is on fire. Well, maybe you aren’t, but I am. January 1st hits, and I spend the month reprogramming. I look at the past year and ask myself, what have I learned, and what do I need to work on? Allow me to share with you my personal reflections in my journal responding to these two questions. I hope it will help you slow down as it did for me, enabling you to embark on the New Year with determination and incentive to make this the best year ever!
What I learned in 2025:
- False humility is not humility.
- Do not give away what God has entrusted to you.
- When you hear God’s plan, wait for Him to instruct you on the implementation.
Armed with what I learned in 2025, I then created a list of things to work on in 2026. I also took note of the challenging things that God gave me to do that were worth it, and the challenging things that I created that were not worth it. I thought about the things that I did that brought me great joy and made a plan to do more of those things: walks on the beach, making time to be with friends and family, reading great books. I made note of where I ran ahead of the Lord in 2025 and wrote down a plan to wait when I hear His voice. It is called my “Stop; Look; Listen” plan.
January is a great time to assess where we have been and where we are going, but the key is always doing this through listening prayer. Listening prayer is taking time to hear from the Lord. I may get an answer during my quiet time, or my answers come through friends or circumstances that are hard to miss. I weigh all of this in prayer. Psalm 84 is a great Psalm to begin this process of reflection. The Sons of Korah, who wrote this psalm, deliver a message describing their desire to be with the Lord. They knew that in Him they would find safety, contentment and strength.
Here are some sound bites from this Psalm that speak directly to our need to place Jesus at the center of all of our life decisions.
My heart and flesh cry out for the Living Lord
Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you
As they pass through the valley of weeping, they make it a place of spring
One day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere
Friends, this journey we call life can only be found in Christ, true life that is. Whether or not we are aware of it, the longing we feel in our hearts is for Him. January is a good time to reflect on how we can be intentional in the New Year to draw near to Him. One way you can do that is by joining our Drawing Near to God Bible study on the second book of Peter starting January 15th or consider joining us through by starting your own community group in your area.
Joanne
