“In their hearts, humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.”
Proverbs 16:9
Every year on this day, many of us set our intentions for the new year.
Whether or not we keep them throughout the year… now that’s another story.
Sometimes we don’t keep them because we are not disciplined enough…
like when we don’t get back to the gym regularly
or eat that bag of chips just days after we determined we wouldn’t.
But other times we don’t keep them because stuff just gets in the way.
Something (or a series of somethings) came up that we didn’t plan.
Life throws us a curveball.
The Bible tends to teach against two extremes: never setting goals and setting goals with no thought of God. It’s good to have our ideas and make our plans – so long as we leave room for God to mess them up every now and again.
God has a holy purpose for your life and uses your circumstances to shape who you become. God has hopes and goals for your life, just like you do. And as the writer of Proverbs suggests – sometimes despite our best laid plans, God shows up with God’s plans in ways we don’t expect – and ours go right out the window.
Do your goals and intentions for life this year leave room for God?
Are you open to unexpected, surprising movement of the Holy Spirit
Even if it takes you down a path you didn’t plan?
If this sounds a bit scary to you , Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us of the intention God has declared over our lives:
“For I know the plans I have for you;
plans to prosper you and not harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”
No matter what is presently happening in your life… no matter where 2022 takes us…
Or if it is anything like you had planned…
We can rest in the promise that God’s intention for our lives is good.
God’s goal for us is a future and hope.
And the Lord will establish our steps and steady us as we move toward it.
Happy New Year!
Pastor Kate
