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Preparing for a New Year (Part One)


"Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house." (Proverbs 24:27)

A new year brings along with it a fresh sense of purpose and hope.  This time of year has become one of my favorites because it is a time of reflection, renewal and readjustment. The thought of a new year prompts each one of us to consider new goals.  None of us want to be stagnant or backslide. It is safe to say that we each aspire to grow more and to do more for our Lord.

Christians have been given the greatest reason for living in the world.  Yet, we so often live as the most directionless people.  So many live without any contemplation about the direction God wants them to go in life or how He intends to help them get there.

As we enter into this new year, God has some insight in this verse as to how we can properly prepare ourselves to follow His direction in the new year.

Over the next three posts, let's consider three ways we may prepare for the new year.

Prepare with a Purpose.

First, the Bible tells us to "Prepare thy work without" (v.27a)  Before we set forth to perform the work God has for us in the new year, we must contemplate the purpose behind why we are doing what we are doing.

Notice how Scripture tells us to take advantage of the power of purpose.

1. It is something you must plan to do.

The first word of our text simply tells us to "prepare."  It is not something that will just happen.  You must intentionally make time to do it.  Set time to pray and seek God's mission for your life.  Write out how you can begin to accomplish that mission in the new year.  Let Him change and align your direction to His.

"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:6)

2. It is something you must personally do.

Notice what we are told to plan for is "thy work."  God has something that He has created you specifically to do for Him.  We too often live so consumed with what we are doing, that we never actually factor in what God has in mind for us to do.  (See James 4:13-15.)

Prepare with your personal mission for God in mind -- His work for you.

3. It is something you must do privately.

An important word of instruction is given when we are told to do all of these things "without."  Remember, this is a private matter.  Determining the personal mission God has for your life is something that you must spend time along with God to figure out.

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." (Psalm 91:1)

Take some time to think about the day of your funeral. (I know it is a little uncomfortable, but humor me.) Many things that you allow to consume your time today won't matter much then.  The things that do matter are the things you'll wish you had done more of.

Preparing the purpose of your life today will enable you to get to the end of your life having accomplished the things that matter most in life.

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