MY YEAR-END RITUAL: SAYING GOODBYE TO 2008 AND EMBRACING 2009
The last days of an expiring year are very important to me. They are important because it is a time when I take inventory of my life. It is a time when I apply the three "R's": Remember, wRite, and Refocus.
REMEMBER: I must bring to my mind anew the special providences of God during the expiring year. I need to remember, meditate upon, and list on paper all of the circumstances, lessons, provisions, and demonstrations of the parental love of my heavenly Father to me throughout each of the past twelve months. I must get them down on paper for present and future profit. I am shamefully forgetful of past multiplied benefits and blessings. My natural tendency is, after having recognized them in praise and gratitude to God in the moment, to allow them to pass so easily and permanently into oblivion. The Bible admonishes us, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits..." (Psalm 103:2). When I cross reference this verse, I see many Bible exhortations that remind me to remember systematically and perpetually the Lord's goodness and providence in my life:
When I shared this exercise with my family, one of my children piped up, "Daddy, does that also include the bad providences?" Yes, we recognize that God's sovereign hand reaches into every circumstance of our life....be that positive or negative in man's eyes. However, the Spirit and the Scriptures have taught us that in the life of the Spirit-regenerate child of God, there does not exist "bad providence." According to the faithful promise of Romans 8:28, every and all circumstances in the life of God's people are heaven-tailored for our spiritual profit and God's great glory. This does not mean that life's circumstances do not hurt. In spite of temporal anguish and difficulty, there is a calm confidence and an enduring peace that passes all understanding that our heavenly Father will bring lasting benefit through each earthly trial.
During the "Remember" phase, I scour our monthly calendars, our agendas, our appointment books, our personal journals, and whatever other resource I can lay my hands on to piece together chronologically and specifically the history of God's providence in my life throughout the past year. This exercise is so important. It fills my heart with awe, reverence, and thanksgiving before my heavenly Father. It reminds me of His faithfulness, goodness, mercy, patience, and grace. It enables me to envision more clearly the sustaining hand of God. It also lets me see that there are times seemingly richer and fuller and other times that are leaner and more mundane. This exercise makes me more of a student of God's providence and teaches me discernment.
After having established these year-end guiding principles in my life two years ago, I am more prone to take note of God's workings in my life. Knowing there will come a day when I have to "remember" all of these providences in a specific way, I begin in January with more diligence, frequency, and accuracy to make note of them. I have become more of a journaler of God's providence in my busy and full life.
The last aspect of the "Remember" phase is the making of two more lists. First, I list all of my lifetime mentors. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, "What hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7). My mentors are those who have left an indelible and permanent mark on my life, my world view, and my person. They have left an enduring footprint on the sand of my heart. I cannot escape from their teaching and influence. It goes with me everywhere I go and makes me think and be the person that I am. For me, this list starts with my parents. After them, there are pastors, missionaries, men that have discipled me, deceased and living authors, and even a radio talk show host (Dave Ramsey).
Lastly, I list on paper those who have been used of the Lord to bless my life in a special way during the past year. In the last few days, I have made a list of over 20 individuals for the year 2008. Some have given into my bosom. Some have taught me. One has rebuked me in brotherly love as a true friend. Some have helped me in a special way in time of trial and trouble. Some have given me an opportunity to serve and be used of the Lord. Others have encouraged me in an unusual way. All these have been like angels ministering to me in ways that have caused me to bless and glorify God.
WRITE: In the first exercise of "Remembering," my heart has been ministered unto. Now, in the second phase of "wRiting," I minister to those who have blessed and ministered to me. I write letters, numerous letters. In each letter to my mentors and to those who have particularly blessed me, I relate to them how God has used them to be a blessing to me. Undoubtedly, this is an encouragement. To know that God has used me in some beneficial way during the last year is a strong encouragement to be faithful, persevere, and give of myself in the coming year. To let others know of their influence on my life blesses them greatly. It lets them know that all that I achieve and accomplish is partially credited to their impact on my life.
REFOCUS: Focus is very important to our individual accomplishments and success in the new year. Those without goals are vagabonds in life. They exist, but they do not grow and thrive. The lack of focus results in an overwhelming disorientation and confusion. To live without focus is like taking an expensive trip without predetermining where you want to go and how you are going to get there. To live without focus is to be an irresponsible steward of the time and talents with which God has so wonderfully blessed you.
The "Refocus" phase for me, includes clarifying and evaluating old goals and setting new ones in six areas of my life:
In each of these areas, I set specific, written goals that will govern my life during the new year. This must be done on paper on purpose. Afterward, I break each yearly goal down into twelve month segments. These one month goals are broken down into four one week goals. Lastly, I break each goal down into some daily goal. Each day and week of the year, I am actively working toward my yearly goals. This gives incredible clear direction and focus for the coming year. Through this plan, I am now not a reactor to life's circumstances. With focus, goals, and a plan, I am proactive determining where I am going and how I am going to get there. I am now a man with a plan. I have planned my work, now it is time to work my plan. This is what I do during the last several days of every year. Won't you join me in being a (wo)man with a plan?
REMEMBER: I must bring to my mind anew the special providences of God during the expiring year. I need to remember, meditate upon, and list on paper all of the circumstances, lessons, provisions, and demonstrations of the parental love of my heavenly Father to me throughout each of the past twelve months. I must get them down on paper for present and future profit. I am shamefully forgetful of past multiplied benefits and blessings. My natural tendency is, after having recognized them in praise and gratitude to God in the moment, to allow them to pass so easily and permanently into oblivion. The Bible admonishes us, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits..." (Psalm 103:2). When I cross reference this verse, I see many Bible exhortations that remind me to remember systematically and perpetually the Lord's goodness and providence in my life:
- "Remember his marvelous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth" (Psalm 105:5).
- "Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea" (Psalm 106:7).
- "They forgat God their Savior, which had done great things in Egypt" (Psalm 106:21).
- "And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live" (Deuteronomy 8:2-3).
- "Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:11-13).
When I shared this exercise with my family, one of my children piped up, "Daddy, does that also include the bad providences?" Yes, we recognize that God's sovereign hand reaches into every circumstance of our life....be that positive or negative in man's eyes. However, the Spirit and the Scriptures have taught us that in the life of the Spirit-regenerate child of God, there does not exist "bad providence." According to the faithful promise of Romans 8:28, every and all circumstances in the life of God's people are heaven-tailored for our spiritual profit and God's great glory. This does not mean that life's circumstances do not hurt. In spite of temporal anguish and difficulty, there is a calm confidence and an enduring peace that passes all understanding that our heavenly Father will bring lasting benefit through each earthly trial.
During the "Remember" phase, I scour our monthly calendars, our agendas, our appointment books, our personal journals, and whatever other resource I can lay my hands on to piece together chronologically and specifically the history of God's providence in my life throughout the past year. This exercise is so important. It fills my heart with awe, reverence, and thanksgiving before my heavenly Father. It reminds me of His faithfulness, goodness, mercy, patience, and grace. It enables me to envision more clearly the sustaining hand of God. It also lets me see that there are times seemingly richer and fuller and other times that are leaner and more mundane. This exercise makes me more of a student of God's providence and teaches me discernment.
After having established these year-end guiding principles in my life two years ago, I am more prone to take note of God's workings in my life. Knowing there will come a day when I have to "remember" all of these providences in a specific way, I begin in January with more diligence, frequency, and accuracy to make note of them. I have become more of a journaler of God's providence in my busy and full life.
The last aspect of the "Remember" phase is the making of two more lists. First, I list all of my lifetime mentors. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, "What hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7). My mentors are those who have left an indelible and permanent mark on my life, my world view, and my person. They have left an enduring footprint on the sand of my heart. I cannot escape from their teaching and influence. It goes with me everywhere I go and makes me think and be the person that I am. For me, this list starts with my parents. After them, there are pastors, missionaries, men that have discipled me, deceased and living authors, and even a radio talk show host (Dave Ramsey).
Lastly, I list on paper those who have been used of the Lord to bless my life in a special way during the past year. In the last few days, I have made a list of over 20 individuals for the year 2008. Some have given into my bosom. Some have taught me. One has rebuked me in brotherly love as a true friend. Some have helped me in a special way in time of trial and trouble. Some have given me an opportunity to serve and be used of the Lord. Others have encouraged me in an unusual way. All these have been like angels ministering to me in ways that have caused me to bless and glorify God.
WRITE: In the first exercise of "Remembering," my heart has been ministered unto. Now, in the second phase of "wRiting," I minister to those who have blessed and ministered to me. I write letters, numerous letters. In each letter to my mentors and to those who have particularly blessed me, I relate to them how God has used them to be a blessing to me. Undoubtedly, this is an encouragement. To know that God has used me in some beneficial way during the last year is a strong encouragement to be faithful, persevere, and give of myself in the coming year. To let others know of their influence on my life blesses them greatly. It lets them know that all that I achieve and accomplish is partially credited to their impact on my life.
REFOCUS: Focus is very important to our individual accomplishments and success in the new year. Those without goals are vagabonds in life. They exist, but they do not grow and thrive. The lack of focus results in an overwhelming disorientation and confusion. To live without focus is like taking an expensive trip without predetermining where you want to go and how you are going to get there. To live without focus is to be an irresponsible steward of the time and talents with which God has so wonderfully blessed you.
The "Refocus" phase for me, includes clarifying and evaluating old goals and setting new ones in six areas of my life:
- Personal: personal development, reading goals, learn instrument, new language, or other skill
- Spiritual: Bible reading, study, and memorization, prayer life, church life, witnessing, service to others
- Health: exercise, weight lifting, weight loss, diet, supplements
- Financial: get out of debt, emergency fund, savings, budgeting, giving
- Family: marital goals to sweeten marriage, child training, family altar, family reading goals
- Career (Ministry): further education, increased income, start own business
In each of these areas, I set specific, written goals that will govern my life during the new year. This must be done on paper on purpose. Afterward, I break each yearly goal down into twelve month segments. These one month goals are broken down into four one week goals. Lastly, I break each goal down into some daily goal. Each day and week of the year, I am actively working toward my yearly goals. This gives incredible clear direction and focus for the coming year. Through this plan, I am now not a reactor to life's circumstances. With focus, goals, and a plan, I am proactive determining where I am going and how I am going to get there. I am now a man with a plan. I have planned my work, now it is time to work my plan. This is what I do during the last several days of every year. Won't you join me in being a (wo)man with a plan?
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