Everything tells us we should be reflective and exercise planning as we enter a New Year. To do this, we need clarity in hindsight and foresight. In 1 Corinthians Paul talks about how special and powerful love is. In chapter 13 verse 8, he takes it to the conclusion that love never ends or fails but everything else passes away and changes. As he wraps up the most beautiful expose’ ever written on what is lasting and pertinent, he comments about our ability to see and understand this as fact. He puts it this way, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Cor. 13:12. Therefore, MY reflection and planning are restricted since I can only see and know in part.
Each year we persevere through success and failure. Our lives are a voyage that hopefully gives us wisdom and experience with which to understand what has happened, is happening and what lies ahead. “Let perseverance finish it’s work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4. January has hit the frozen ground at top speed in my life and I want to reflect before the current sweeps me away. I want to reflect on what the Holy Spirit impresses upon me and not just MY highlights of 2017. I want to prepare for what 2018 will bring and not just focus on my to-do list or be distracted by the noise in the world. I want to capture what matters and not just what grabs my attention. To do this, I must ask the Holy Spirit to reveal this to me and not rely on my own understanding. “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to hear anything from the Lord. Such a person is double minded and unstable in all they do. ” James 1:6-8. I do ask, but I can doubt. I am going to doubt less in 2018.
It’s easier just to go headlong into 2018 and pick up where I left off in December, but is that the right thing to do? I have learned that Paul and James spoke wise words. Without the Holy Spirit I am only able to see and understand partially. Even when I ask God to show me the truth, I am hampered by my own pride, doubt, insecurities and stubbornness. Jesus spoke truth, hard truths. When He talked about the Holy Spirit, he left no room for doubt. “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:13. If we want the truth and knowledge about what will come, the Holy Spirit is the only place to turn. I want to hear the Spirit more clearly in 2018.
As I reflect on the past year and gaze into the next, I don’t trust anything that is not divinely inspired to me by the Holy Spirit. Most of you will think I’ve carried this a little too far or I’m trying to be uber spiritual. Let me ask you. Did you see everything that has come your way the past 5 years…10 years….6 months? Bottom line is our planning is nothing short of boasting in arrogant schemes (James 4:16). “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14. Scripture is truth. I want to trust the Holy Spirit more in 2018.
So, as I try to reflect on 2017 and prepare for 2018, I come to only one conclusion. This side of the dirt the best I can do is exercise greater faith in God who sees and understands. In 2018, I will exercise greater faith in the Holy Spirit who knows what is yet to come. Christ followers know these are the tenants of their beliefs. Most will pass this off as low hanging fruit or confirm with an ‘amen’. Let me put it with the emphasis James did. “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” James 4:17. Not tough luck that you didn’t listen: it is sin. I will exercise greater faith in 2018 because to do otherwise is sinful.
Ok, these are my resolutions for 2018. Be more attentive to the Spirit. Doubt less. Trust and exercise greater faith. And for those who prefer secular language…listen to the voice inside me, trust and act on that voice. If you are a Christ follower, I invite you to join me. If you are not, go back and listen to the words of Jesus before deciding where to put your faith.
2017 was a year of challenge and controversy. 2018 will present challenges and controversies we can’t predict but we can plan for. Be resolute in who you listen to and where you stand on issues. Be resolute in your faith.