As one twelve month comes to a close and another arrives and we begin to make all of our plans and set all of our goals for the upcoming year, we ought to take some time to settle with the year that was and tie up whatever loose ends we may have in order to go into 2019 with confidence, strength, and healed hearts.
One of the most difficult things about changing seasons is leaving the past behind us and moving forward to what lies ahead (Philippians 3:13). This can be hard to do, especially if we’ve had a hard year and are struggling to feel positive about what might be next. And yet, even when things have been so sweet, we can be uncertain of the coming season: will it threaten the peace and happiness we’ve come to enjoy? Looking to the future means looking to the unknown.
Be willing to let go
Either way, we should know that – through Christ – all things are possible. This means that no matter what 2018 held for you, Christ is able to walk alongside you to help you to move forward in your life in 2019. This does not mean that we should push our feelings and thoughts aside in an attempt to hurry and get over them for the sake of a New Year. Rather, we have to be willing to let go of control and allow Christ to reign and rule over our lives, submitting to his plan, and trusting him to help us in whatever way we need while we move forward.
Be sure to take some time as you move into the early stages of this New Year. Take note of the condition of your heart and where you are at physically and emotionally and why, perhaps, we feel the way we do. Then, in your secret prayer time, go to the Lord and simply give it to him and allow him to journey with you into the unkown just like the the three wise men did on the Feast of the Epiphany.
Ms Anne Marie Dolan, Pastoral Coordinator