Facing a new year can elicit a variety of responses. Some feel a sense of excitement and renewal in looking forward to the coming year. A few feel like life is spinning out of control, wondering where the year went. Others feel lost without a clear purpose in life—something to be or do that makes sense of everything. Regardless of how you feel about the new year, you can be assured that God has a plan for you in it.
God has a unique vision and purpose for each of His children. He wants to bring glory to Himself through our lives. Understanding God's vision, however, is different from casting our own vision.
God does not reveal His vision for our lives all at once.
When we make plans, we want everything laid out. Think about the last time you traveled. When you mapped out the trip, you wanted to know where it started, where it ended, where you would stop along the way, and exactly how long it would take. Many of us approach our life in the same way—we try to plan out all the details in advance; we want to know all the answers before we begin the journey.
However, God does not reveal His vision for our lives all at once. He reveals it step by step.
In John 16, there is an interesting exchange between Jesus and the disciples just before His betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion. Jesus is telling the disciples what to expect when He goes away, and He says, "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear" (John 16:12). God reveals His vision to us when He knows we are ready and able to receive it.
Prayer: God, help me to trust that You will reveal Your vision for me at just the right time. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord" (Isaiah 55:8).
Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef's sermon God's Vision for the New Year: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW
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