Ready, set, BANG! goes the starting pistol, and we’re off to the races again. Happy New Year!? Horns blare and fireworks crack. December had us galloping toward Christmas, whipping that sleigh horse into gear. Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up those clod-hoppers! What had commenced as jingling around the literal clock all Christmas season has now concluded. And now January is here and we are ready for a new time-consuming obsession.
After eating too much, drinking too much, and watching too many Hallmark movies (yes, guilty), a new year lays before us, a brand new slate that needs to be filled to capacity and jam packed with new “Brand New You” gimmicks!
After all, what good is a new year if we aren’t improving ourselves, trying new activities, and finally cracking the cryptic algorithm codes of Instagram? We want better skin, more affluent ventures, and viral videos!
And yes, this noise is loud, but the whispers of God are more profound. They reach into the commotion and my soul like a long-loved friend. These whispers are convicting, but not guilt-filled. I hear a gentle whisper into the chaos, “But beloved, what about me?”
And then my soul silently crumbles within me as I realize that a starting pistol is not the way I want my new year to begin. Because ultimately, we are made for work AND rest. For productivity AND reflection. For creating AND being still.
We are made with purpose by God for God.
I want a new year that continues writing the collaborative story God has for me. I wish for a new year that lets my mind wander and wonder in awe and not fear.
Let’s begin a new year that requires more of Him and less of us—less of our insecurities and more of his boldness; less of our worries and more of his confidence; less of our malicious thoughts and more of his grace-filled words. When we race forward in the new year, we are chasing something that will satisfy our souls. We long for something that will fill every heart fiber with meaning and purpose.
In the background of my life has been a calming hymn, quietly hummed in the days leading up to the end of an old year and into the new year. A hymn that offers a new way of thinking and seeing the new year. I know many of us have vision boards and our own vision for the new year. Accomplishments and plans that we long to achieve. We aim for more and more. Topping what we did the previous yaer.
But what if underneath all of the “new you” trials, Jesus became our actual vision? What if our eyes shifted towards Jesus so we could see His world and His people in a new way? What if we truly leaned into his peaceful promptings and allowed His vision to be our vision?
“Be Thou My Vision” can be the ambition anthem for the new year.
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one
Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art
High King of heaven, my victory won
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all
Thou my best thought, by day or by night seems like a break for my mind. No more running and hiding, but resting at the thought of Jesus.
When we acknowledge that it is His strength and goodness working in us to bring good purpose, this anthem is one that will carry us well: into the new year, past the slump of failed resolutions, and back into the end of the next year. Really this anthem can carry us for the better part of our days here on this earth and into eternity. Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart.
Your Turn
What if we quieted down, rested more, and took time to seek God and His kingdom? What would it look like if we fixed our eyes on Jesus to provide for our new year? If he became our vision, what good could we both together bring, Jesus with us, to the new year?
Let’s take a look at some scripture that proves a full-hearted, peace-filled year when God is our vision. After each scripture, invite God in to all the compartmentalized boxes of your heart and life. Let Him bring you peace over every fear that looms in the future.
He says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. Psalm 107:28-29
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:5-6
I know there is nothing better for them than to be glad and to get and do good as long as they live; And also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for bringing us into a new year. Thank you for being with us in previous years and knowing what the future holds for this year. With the knowledge you have, you have plans that will prosper us and not harm us if we would trust you and follow you.
We pray to lean on you, knowing full well that you are our great and awesome God in heaven. We pray that you would do a great work through us this year, through our children and families. Lord, we pray to desire you and more of you. Let all that is within us move from a place of selfishness to compassionate, generous givers.
Lord we pray for your wisdom as we move into this new year; some of us with trepidation, some with excitement, all with expectations. We pray that our expectations align with what you want to accomplish through us.
Thank you for your son, Jesus, and his compassion for us sinners. Thank you for paving the way so that you can be our vision, and we can be with you and you with us. Lord, we love you and long for more of you. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
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Take care and Happy New Year, friend! What are you looking forward to most this new year?
