New things are exciting to me. I love them because they bring with them energy and opportunity. Not just something shiny to grab my attention but the potential for real growth.
With that in mind, I have always believed the new year is an important time—or at least it can be. For me, it is a reminder of new beginnings, fresh starts, and new horizons ahead. Nothing magical happens when the calendar flips over to a new year, but it can be our cue to reaffirm our commitments, open our hearts to new things, and ask some important questions.
What do you want for 2022? Time is precious and I don’t want to squander another year. I want to look back at the end of the year and see that I am better than I was at the beginning; wiser, healthier, happier, that I have done good in this world and in people’s lives, and most of all that I am closer to God and even more in love with him.
That is my vision for this new year. A broad vision, yes, but an important starting point. Now I focus on dialing it in. What does God want for me? What do I need to work on? To continue? To stop? To change?
Proverbs 29:18 says that without vision the people perish. As a leader, I know how true that is. We need motivation and direction. I saw this as a parent as well; we need to guide our children with enthusiasm and hope. It also applies personally. Without vision, time slips by, and our goals may go unaccomplished.
Vision is not easy in difficult times such as these. When there is pain and uncertainty in the world around us our hope for vision must be built on a firm foundation. That foundation, that hope, is found in the truth that God does have a real plan for us. He loves us and cares about every aspect of our lives. We are not floundering on our own.
As you work on your vision for the new year, take hope in these amazing promises! God is right there, nudging, guiding, and making a way. You can trust him, wait patiently without pressure or anxiety, do good along the way, and take delight in the good he has ahead for you.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11
Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. – Proverbs 23:18
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. – Proverbs 16:3-4
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. – Proverbs 16:9
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. – Psalm 32:8
Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
– Psalm 37:3-7
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way, though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.
– Psalm 37:23-24
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. – Psalm 138:8
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. – Psalm 139:16
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. – Ephesians 2:10
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:6
– love, Ginger
