There is something extraordinary about the fresh pages of a new yearly planner. I love to look at the blank pages, and I get excited about what goals I want to set and how to plan my time. During those moments, I cannot help but reflect on the past year, what I accomplished, and what I had hoped to accomplish but did not. The blank sheets invite me to consider the question, “What can I do differently this year to complete my goals and work on my dreams?" and represent places to write my solutions, or how I can change something to achieve my dreams and goals.
What are your goals, commonly known as “resolutions,” for this new year: to be healthier or to start a new job, maybe to pursue a dream you have had for a long time?
Consider your new planner as a “blank slate” (which is defined as “something with no existing restraints that can be freely developed”), which will help you to reach your goals. To be successful with your New Year’s Resolution, you must be mindful of the solutions to being successful.
So, what can you do differently this year? As always, God has provided direction for us in His Word:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverb 3:5-6)
Let yourself be a “blank slate."
Trust God and lean on Him to eliminate any “existing restraints” keeping you from doing His Will and fulfilling the potential and dreams He has given you.
Submit to Him and allow Him to make your paths straight so your plans can be freely developed.
Taking This to God in Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for this new year and all its opportunities to serve You, bless others, and honor You with my thoughts and actions. This year, I feel that You are leading me to accomplish the following things (add these in here). Lord, if my goals are not in Your will, then please present obstacles and make it clear to me that this is not Your will. Lord, help me to trust You with all of my heart and to lean on You, not my understanding. Lord, I submit this year and these plans to You, knowing that You will make paths straight towards them if they are in Your will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.