Turn the Page

Turn the Page

So a new year is here, and ready or not we are now in 2012.  What will this year hold?  What challenges?  What Trials?  What victories and accomplishments?  I have done a lot of thinking about this the past few weeks.  I even preached a message on “Turning the Page” this past sunday at  West Whitner Baptist Church.  Something about changing calendars seems to invite a fresh start, a new beginning and thus new years resolutions.  

While I am not a big advocate of new years resolutions, I am about turning the page and today is as good if not better than tomorrow.  All of us have changes we need to make, and I am no different.  All of us should take stock of the past year and discover where we are in our journey in this life.  Are we in the middle of where God wants us.  Are we off course?  Are we making par for the course?   What ways can we improve as Christians and human beings?  What mistakes did we make last year and how can we avoid making them in the future?  How can we learn from both our failings as well as our triumphs?

First I think we need to count our blessings.  It will surprise you what the Lord Has done.  If not I find that I too often look back at all the trials and negatives from the previous year and negate all the many blessings.

Second, identify those things that you want to not repeat this year from the past and those things that you want to carry into this new year.

Finally seek the Lord for what he would have you do and the direction He would guide you in.  Seek the Lord in prayer and Bible study.  

Something that  I and my wife are going to be practicing this year, are a series of 30 day challenges.  While this 30 challenge is not original with me, I am advocating that we spiritualize it.  The 30 day challenge is for the purpose of eliminating something not good for you and adding things that are.  I simply want to use this and ask the question, what would God have me subtract or add for 30 days?  Not that it has to stop at 30 days, but rather can continue.  It is my belief that 30 days of doing or not doing, aids in making lasting change.  

Those of you that know me, know that I don’t do much half way.  So therefore I and my family are attempting several 30 day challenges.  Some are simple, some less so.  Stop yelling at my kids, stop drinking carbonated beverages, show the love of God to at least 1 new person a day.    These are just a few of the challenges I am taking on.  I want to turn a page this year and write what God wants me to write on the wall of my life.  My life is my testimony.  What changes will you make this year?  What will you write on the pages of your life?  Look at this new year with all the wonder and potential possibilities it Holds.  I don’t know what the future holds, But I know God holds the future.  Trust God and see this year for the opportunity that it is.