By Alison Feinauer
Christmas is over and a new year has begun. Wow! A new year has begun. I love New Years! There is something so refreshing and freeing about a new calendar, journal, fresh start, coming off the holidays that excites me. For some, it can be depressing. The holidays are such a rush of drama, to dos, activities, and excitement. And now what? For others, they barely survived another season with a reminder of loss or heartache. No matter where you are or what your perspective is today, I’m hearing God say this: “I’m doing a new thing, I’m making streams in the desert, don’t you see it, choose to see it! (Isaiah 43:19)”
I heard the other day about the superpower that we have. That superpower is choice. It put a new fire in me. We get to choose many things: what to wear, what to eat, what to say, do, even think. God has given us the power to choose. We are not robots, although sometimes I wish I were because of the dumb choices I make. But for the most part, I’m thankful the ball is in my court.
He has not only given us choice, but He said He’d give us wisdom if we asked for it. These go hand in hand. We are only human and sometimes make the wrong choices. If we ask for it, the Holy Spirit will give us wisdom in the moments of our choices. We must slow down, ask, and wait for the Spirit. He is quick to assist.
Going into this New Year, I have two challenges for you. First, think about where God is doing a new thing in you. If you don’t see it, ask him. He’ll reveal it. Think of the driest place, the hopeless or discouraging place, the painful place for you right now. I bet that is where he is doing something new, calling you to a new season. Trust Him, and pursue Him in that promise. Continue to talk to Him about it. He loves that!
Second, what choice can you make that will change your hour, day, or your life? Is it the choice to put your phone down for certain parts of the day to be present with your family, or to start your day connecting with God? Is it to take one step to pursue that dream that you’ve tucked away or let die? Is it calling that friend you’ve been holding a grudge against, or starting that book you picked up and actually finish it? Is it making margin in your schedule so you aren’t on edge and running late? What is it for you? We are all at different places.
What is the Choice that will make a difference in your new year? Instead of going to your self help guide or your Pinterest inspiration, take a few minutes today and ask your Creator, the Author of your story, what choices He’d like you to make today. And ask Him to give you wisdom that only comes from Him. I think He knows best!
Father, thank you for a new year, a new season, a new morning. Your mercies are new every morning. Give us your wisdom and encouragement today, to see the new things you are doing, and to make the choices that would please you and lead to an abundant life this year. Give us a hope where it’s been lost, or wisdom for that tough decision that is coming our way. Only you know what we need. We love and trust you. Amen
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way (Ephesians 1:17-23).
