I have no official New Year’s resolution, only a renewed resolve and desire, by His grace, to continue seeking the Lord’s will for my life.A new year always invites us into a sacred pause, a moment to step back, take inventory, and recalibrate our hearts before the Lord. For me, I’ve never been one for formal New Year’s resolutions. Instead, I carry a deeper resolve by His grace, to continue seeking the Lord’s will for my life and to desire that He would be glorified in all that I do, say, and think…in action, word, gesture, and heart.

My prayer is simple:

“Lord, show me Your ways, that I may know You and make You known. Let Your life and light shine in and through me so others may see You—even through my humanity, frailties, and shortcomings. Teach me, instruct me, guide me, and lead me by Your wisdom, lovingkindness, mercy, and grace.”

A Prayer for the New Season:

The cry of my heart echoes the prayer of Psalm 119:

—Psalm 119:33–34, 36–38

Psalm 101:3 also adds powerful wisdom: “I will set nothing worthless before my eyes.”

What we allow before our eyes will ultimately affect our souls (see also Psalm 119:37). As we move into this new season, I want to be intentional and careful not to waste time on frivolous pursuits or fix my focus on worthless things. Life is too precious, and time far too short.A New Year and a New Perspective:

Regardless of what we have been through, we must remember this truth: we cannot change the past, but the choices we make each day help define our future.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1, KJV)

Or as the NET Bible says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.”

Keep your vision of hope. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Lessons in Ordinary Moments:

It’s amazing how the Lord often speaks in the middle of everyday life. Toward the end of 2017 and beginning of 2018, I spent time in Florida seeking the Lord for the coming season. One day, while working out at a hotel gym, I noticed a sign that read:

“Work Hard. Don’t Stop. Dream Bigger.”

Those words resonated deeply with what I sensed the Lord was saying:

We have all felt the weight of national and global events, natural disasters, economic uncertainty, political unrest, and cultural upheaval. At times, the burden can feel overwhelming.

Yet even in the midst of it all, we are continually reminded of the faithfulness and goodness of the Lord. God still has a greater plan and purpose for each of us.

When Solomon dedicated the magnificent temple, he prayed, “Let Your word come true.”

Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

As we leave what is behind and move into what lies ahead, may we be reminded that God is faithful and that His Word would come true over you and your family. May His promises and purposes be fulfilled, and may His Kingdom come in our lives personally, in our families, and corporately.

A Season of Holy Recalibration:

Change and transition are in the air.

This is a time for reflection, regrouping, repositioning, readjustment, realignment, recalibration, resting, and refreshing in His presence.

If we desire to finish well, we must learn to balance work, leisure, and play for our spiritual, physical, and emotional health.

This is also a season to stay close to our moorings and connections, and to remain anchored in healthy relationships, community, and stay spiritually tethered.

Be intentional about Sabbath rest and set-apart times with the Lord. There are moments when we must “go to the mountain,” so to speak, not striving or pressing, but simply resting in His presence. Even then, the Lord goes before us and stands as our rear guard ordering things and making arrangements beyond our awareness.

Sometimes, clarity for the future comes by pausing long enough to reflect on what God has already spoken, and remembering where He has brought us from, through, and to.

Restoring the Altar of Worship:

In a world filled with noise, distractions, and spiritual pollution, we need holy pauses, moments to pull aside, refocus, and regain clarity. We need the Holy Spirit’s headlights to guide us through the fog.

This coming year, may we restore the altar of worship and rediscover the Whoa, the Wow, and the get up and Go of God. In His presence, we are refreshed, refocused, and re-fired to rise and move forward.

Remember this truth:

In His presence is authentic love, fullness of joy, peace beyond understanding, and a hope filled faith greater than any circumstance we may face.

Here’s to resolve—not resolution, and to a year anchored in His presence and guided by His truth.

BY DOUG STRINGER