Intro
As we approach the conclusion of this year, it’s crucial to focus on how we can discern God’s path for our lives in the coming year. Here are five key thoughts to guide you into a better year, not through resolutions alone, but through aligning with God’s vision for your life.
Related:
Start the Year with Prayer and Fasting
The Bible suggests seeking first the kingdom of God, promising that all things will be added unto you. This principle of putting God first can be likened to choosing a keystone habit that influences all others. Here’s why this practice is essential:
- Humbling Yourself: Fasting isn’t just about abstaining from food; it’s a way to humble oneself before God, fostering a spirit of humility which often leads to divine favor.
- Seeking God Wholeheartedly: Fasting amplifies prayer, making it a time not just to abstain from food but to feast on God’s word and presence.
- Receiving Guidance: Ezra 8:21 speaks of fasting to seek the right way for us and our families. Fasting can lead to clear guidance from God regarding life’s decisions.
- For Family and Finances: Fasting isn’t just a personal practice. It can impact your family and financial decisions, aligning them with God’s will.
Be Grounded in the Word of God Daily
The scripture from Psalm 119:105 describes God’s word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Here’s how daily engagement with the Bible can guide you:
Spiritual Nourishment: Just as physical food nourishes the body, God’s word feeds the spirit, giving strength and direction.
- Daily Guidance: The Bible doesn’t give specific life answers but offers principles that guide daily living, keeping us from sin and towards success as described in Joshua 1:8.
- Prosperity in Your Way: When you meditate on God’s word, whatever you do can prosper, not because of your plans, but because you’re living in alignment with God’s revealed will.
Listen to the Holy Spirit
To discern God’s voice, one must be:
Near to God: Proximity to God through prayer, fasting, and scripture reading makes His voice clearer.
- Familiar with His Word: The more you know the scriptures, the more recognizable God’s voice becomes, as it aligns with His written word.
- Reduce Life’s Noise: In a noisy world, creating space for silence and reflection helps in hearing the Holy Spirit’s gentle guidance.
Lean into Wise Counsel
While personal revelation is vital, wisdom from others is equally important:
- Avoid Extremes: Sole reliance on personal revelation can lead to missteps. Wise counsel from those who’ve walked with God can provide balance.
- Community and Accountability: Being part of a church or small group offers a network where your spiritual insights can be tested and guided.
- Historical Wisdom: Examples like Samuel and Eli show us the value of mentorship and guidance in understanding God’s will.
Look for Open and Closed Doors
God often directs through circumstances:
- Open Doors: When opportunities align unexpectedly, it might be God’s sign to move forward (Revelation 3:8).
- Closed Doors: Sometimes, a shut door is God’s way of redirecting us. Patience in these moments is crucial, trusting that God has another plan.
Wait Patiently but Act in Faith
Patience with God’s timing is often a test of faith:
- God’s Timing: He is never late but always on time, even if it feels slow to us (Habakkuk 2:2).
- Faith Over Sight: Walking by faith, not by sight, means trusting in God’s plan even when it’s not immediately visible (2 Corinthians 5:7).
- Avoid Impulsiveness: Resist the urge to force outcomes; God’s blessings come in His timing, not ours.
Whatever You Do, Do It with All Your Heart as Unto God
Finally, approach every task with devotion:
- Full Heart Commitment: Colossians 3:23 encourages us to do everything with all our heart as if serving the Lord, not men.
- Faithfulness in Small Things: Like Joseph in Potiphar’s house or David with his sheep, your current role, no matter how small, is a stage for demonstrating faithfulness to God.
- Divine Recognition: God watches your heart in every task, rewarding not just the big moments but the consistent, faithful service in everyday life.
Conclusion
As we move into the next year, remember that God’s direction isn’t just about the big decisions but about daily living in His presence, through His word, with His Spirit, in community, and with patience and faith. May your next year be marked by a deeper discernment of God’s will for your life, leading to a year of growth, purpose, and divine favor.