As the old year comes to an end we anxiously await the words "Happy New Year!” which mark the beginning of a new start. It is a time of great excitement and reflection when we ponder and discuss all the interesting occurrences that happened the past year: the good times, the bad times, the frustrating times and the fun times and then look ahead to the New Year in great anticipation.

We do this as a closure to one year and then an opening to the next. We begin to look forward with great excitement, wondering - What God has in store for us – individually and collectively - as a people this coming New Year. What new experiences will we go through and what new lessons will we learn.
In so doing, it helps us to view each year as a season, understanding that God is Sovereign and has new seasons of experiences and growth for us. We can all testify that there were times when we went through seasons of grief or sadness and there were also times we experienced seasons of joy.

However, through it all, it helped us to remember that God is in total control and He knows what is best. He knows the plans He has for us – individually and collectively. Plans of new wisdom, insight and understanding that He wants to impart to us, if we will allow Him to.

It also gives us a fresh new outlook for the coming year and enables us to leave the past where it belongs;not that we forget the past but learn from it and move forward into the future with open hearts and minds to receive whatever God has for us.

So as the New Year unfolds, and a new start springs forth, here are some ways we can view the New Year.

As a year of:
New Beginnings: Start out the New Year with a fresh point of view to new experiences, memories and blessings. Having an open mind and heart to wherever the Lord may take you individually, and collectively as a people with full assurance and confidence that He is with us. (Matthew 28:19-20)

New Possibilities: There's no limit to what God can do in your life, or our lives, and nothing is impossible with God. God opens doors that no man can shut and also closes doors that no man can open. The possibilities are endless with God according to His will. (Philippians 4:13)

New Plans: Every year is a new season. Be prayerful of what God has planned for you or us and be willing to walk by faith in obedience as we follow His leading. Remember that His plans are always for good, and not for evil, to give us a future and a Hope. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

New Purpose: As we forge ahead, God always has a plan and a purpose for what we will go through and experience. Remember that God always has a reason for what He allows in our lives and through it we can trust Him completely. (Proverbs 1:3-5)

New Provisions: The Bible says to not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has enough worries of its own. Let us trust in our Heavenly Father who knows everything we need and who is our God and our Provider. He is faithful and He will do it. (Matthew 6:1-33)

New Growth: When we are willing to let go and let God work in us and through us, He will always stretch us and grow us. It is an important part of the growth process. Let us endeavour to grow in our relationship with Him and in His Word. Pray for God to mould you and make you pliable in the potters hand and then watch the master craftsman work on His masterpiece which is you!

New Wisdom: With new experiences and new lessons come new wisdom and insight. Let us always make it a priority to seek out God’s wisdom for us individually and collectively as a nation. In Proverbs it says that it will be like a garland of grace around your neck and it will honor you and present you with a crown of splendor. (Proverbs 4:7-9)

Renewed Peace: As we go through new experiences and new adventures, whether they are good or bad, this year my encouragement is to keep our eyes fixed on Christ and He will give us rest and peace, because He is our peace and loves us and cares for us deeply. (John 16:33)

Let us give thanks to God for getting us through another year as we look forward to what He has for us in this coming year. Like the Magi, may we leave this season following a different path than the one we came from and may God lead us into a deepening knowledge of His will for our journey ahead.

So my friends, as the New Year beckons, may God help us face what we must, celebrate every triumph we can, and make the changes we need to make. May His hands guide and protect us as we venture into the New Year and may this hymn be our prayer:-

Standing at the portal of the opening year,
Words of comfort meet us,
Hushing every fear;
Spoken thru the silence
By our Savior’s voice,
Tender, strong and faithful,
Making us rejoice.
Onward, then, and fear not,
Children of the day;
For His Word shall never,
Never pass away.
“I, the Lord, am with thee,
Be thou not afraid;
I will help and strengthen
Be thou not dismayed.
Yea, I will uphold thee
With My own right hand;
Thou art called and chosen
In My sight to stand.”
For the year before us,
O what rich supplies!
For the poor and needy
Living streams shall rise;
For the sad and sinful
Shall His grace abound;
For the faint and feeble
Perfect strength be found.
He will never fail us,
He will not forsake;
For His eternal covenant
He will never break.
Resting on the promise,
What have we to fear?
God is all sufficient
For the coming year.

A blessed New Year to all!

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