A new year is upon us—often described as a clean slate, filled with exhilarating opportunities and compelling adventures. At least that’s the way we’re supposed to look at a new year. Right?
But what if your new year looks a lot like the end of last year—cold, dark, and dreary? Or maybe it falls somewhere between sunshine and snow, clear skies and gloomy clouds.
Wherever your new year is on the spectrum of blessing and blah, how do we turn the page of our calendar (to use an ancient metaphor) and the page of our outlook at the same time?
Allow me to suggest three postures—three intentional steps—for renewing our hearts as we step into a renewed year.
ON OUR KNEES
Downward motion precedes upward mobility. Humility prepares the heart for God’s intervention. We jump into the new year by falling to our knees. Our dependence is not on our ability to direct ourselves, but on the God who faithfully leads us. James admonishes us, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you”(James 4:10). Jesus Himself modeled this humility—though He was in the form of God, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death (Philippians 2:6-8). If you’re not sure how to get on the right track this year, start on your knees. Seek God’s presence before embarking on your plans.
IN OUR CHAIRS
After prayer comes pause. You’ve been on your knees in prayer; now it’s time to move to your chair in reflection and renewal. This is the space to steady your heart, calm your fears, and prepare your mind. God’s Spirit is already moving; now you’re setting your sail to catch the wind. Wind can be a metaphor for turbulence, but a gentle wind can bring about some of the most beautiful music in the world. If you’ve ever placed a wind chime in a peaceful place just right for the coming gentle breeze, you know exactly what I’m describing. If there is no wind, the chimes hang silent. But with a gentle, blowing breeze, the chimes sing a beautiful medley of praise to the One who brings the wind. “The wind blows where it wishes,” Jesus said, “and you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). I pray you will sit still long enough to catch the wind and hear a beautiful medley of praise.
TO THE STREETS
We start on our knees, but we don’t stay there. We sit still in our chairs, but too long of a stay makes our joints stiff and our legs ache. It’s time to get up and get going. We go to the streets, to our neighbors, to our friends, to our family, to our co-workers to bear witness of the beautiful medley of praise that fills our hearts. We share with joy that Jesus has drawn us out of the kingdom of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). We have a message to share and a mission to join. I may not always feel fired up, but I can still stand up and speak up in the name of Jesus. We carry “a joy that is inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8), and that’s worth taking to the streets.
Whatever your perspective on the new year may be, may your posture reflect a commitment to keep in step with the Spirit… after you’ve spent time on your knees.
