At the beginning of the year, we are typically looking forward to God “doing a new thing” in our lives, “taking us to the next level” in our business/ministry, or receiving whatever blessing we’re hoping the Lord will bestow upon us. It’s healthy to have these expectations…to set our heart on things above (Col 3:1).
But before all that, we have holiday parties, family holiday gatherings, ministry Christmas parties, and the social clubs’ holiday parties with that delicious spiked-sparkling punch. And once we make it through that, then there’s the next round of pre and post New Year’s parties. The turn-up is real!
My friend Marcie shared with me what the Lord had convicted her about her end-of-year turn-up period.
“What if God wanted to give you everything he has for you in the New Year…everything you’ve been praying for…on January 1st? Would you be prepared to receive it?”
A lot of times, people look to the New Year…scratch that…I look to the New Year with great expectation on what God is going to do. In so doing, I write off the end of the current year…for the turn-up…and fail to get ready to receive what I’m expecting in the New Year.
For example, my mother’s and wife’s birthdays are in December…so there’s that. This past Saturday, I had my church small-group brunch in the morning and the Young Adult ministry Christmas party that night.
The office-party lunch was last week. And now…I’m trying to decide on which New Year’s Eve event we’re going to attend.
Little on my mind is the mental, spiritual, emotional, and educational head-space I need to be in if God were to direct-deposit a year’s worth of purpose-driven resources into my purpose-account. Truthfully, I wouldn’t know what to do with all of them. I might, very well, squander those resources and jeopardize relationships in the process.
Maybe that’s why I didn’t accomplish everything I wanted to accomplish this year…because God truly didn’t put on me more than I can bear.
So, last week, my wife and I began reading the bible together once a week, once again. Afterwards, we felt very close to each other. The other night, instead of doing some business-planning, I did some business-praying.
I wanted to first check-in with the Lord to see in what direction he wants me to go before I create my own plans for my direction. And generally, I’m ‘getting my mind right’ so I can think/see/hear clearly regarding the variety of opportunities…known and unknown…that await me in the New Year.
Christmas parties, New Year’s parties, Just-Because-It’s-the-Holidays parties are fun. Yeah…do them! But don’t spend the last few weeks of the year partying and getting turned up, and forsake praying and getting prepared. So after you turn-up…turn-down to hear the still quiet voice that’s preparing you for your purpose.
BMWK — What will you do in the balance of this year to prepare for your 2016 purpose?