As the year comes to an end, it’s important to reflect on all the things that have happened in the last 11 or so months. We can all agree that 2020 has been a year like no other. I simply describe it as a year of ups and down, highs and lows, fasts and slows – it’s been a roller coaster for me. But despite the recommendation of so many to forget, discount, or ignore 2020, it’s been a year of revelation and appreciation for so many.  This 5-day devotional will give you an opportunity to reflect on this year, identify lessons, be thankful, embrace the new, prepare for next year, and end this year STRONG!

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Towards the end of the year, I spend time reflecting on the last eleven or twelve months. The people I’ve met, the loved ones I’ve lost,  the places I’ve been to, the lessons I’ve learned, and the mistakes I sometimes try to forget. Sometimes I write them down and sometimes I don’t. It is merely an exercise to reflect and appreciate the opportunity I had to experience it all. As we approach the final days of this year, I have decided to allocate more time than usual for reflection because this year has been far from typical. Like many of you, I started this year with goals, dreams, vision boards, and prayer requests to keep things aligned and in order. But as much as we plan and prepare, God has His own plans for us. 

The bible tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Everything that occurred this year was part of His plan for our lives. While it may not seem beneficial or even worthy of reflection, it is part of the plan. Now more than ever, I’ve read so many stories of business being established, ideas coming into fruition, and financial promotions all occurring in a time of crisis, a recession, or a pandemic.  Now everyone will not have these testimonies, but the one thing we all have is the assurance that God has a plan for our lives. He is willing to reveal and give us wisdom to understand it, if we ask (James 1:5). 

Take some time out today to think and reflect on this year. Jot down a few things or several things to review how much the events and lessons of this year have influenced you. Then take some time to pray about what you learn from each one. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for having a plan for my life. In the midst of everything that is taking place, I know You have a plan to prosper me, to give me hope and a future. Lord help me to build up my faith in Your plan and help me to walk in line with the plan You have for my life, in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.  

James 1: 2 – 3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 

Trials, Temptations and Tribulations (3Ts) are part of our existence. God never promised that we would not experience the 3Ts, he just promised that he would be there with us every step of the way. While we pray for a life without or with minimal Ts, we often find ourselves going through them. Having gone through some trials, temptations and tribulations, I’ve realized, in retrospect, that there is a lesson. Every event or situation has the potential to be a teachable moment, sometimes, we just need to spend time reflecting and praying to discover the lesson. In fact, the bible tells us to consider it pure joy. Why? Because the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 

Perseverance is one of the many characteristics that God wants us to strengthen, because He knows that we need it to make it through life. It produces maturity, prepares us for what is yet to come and allows us to rely solely on God. Let’s change our perspective from “Why is this happening to me?” to “What lesson am I meant to learn?”

As you think about the Ts you may have experienced this year, ask yourself these three questions. 

1. How has each T made you a better person? 

2. Have you developed a stronger relationship with God as a result?

3. Do you feel equipped for what the future may hold? 

If you do not have an answer or do not like the answer you have, make it a prayer point.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, when I am faced with a trial, help me to discover the lesson. Teach me how to build character, deepen my relationship with You, and prepare for what is yet to come. Your word says, testing of my faith produces perseverance, Lord help me when faced with a trial to rely on You for strength to make it through.  In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Giving thanks to God is easy when we have a testimony. It’s almost necessary to show your appreciation. But how do you give thanks when you have been through so much and you are still going through a lot? The word tells us to rejoice always…give thanks in all circumstances. Sigh! 

But what exactly does that mean? Does it mean give thanks for the past testimonies? Or give thanks for the future – the testimonies to come? Or give thanks for the horrible or unbelievable situation that you may be in?

It’s actually all three – IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES! So the testimonies of the past are worthy of our thanksgiving (an act of gratitude) , the testimonies in the future are worthy of our thanksgiving (an act of faith) and most importantly the situation that you find yourself in right now, whether good or bad is worthy of thanksgiving (an act of obedience). Thanking God for where you are now puts your mind in a state of appreciation, regardless of what you see. It is obeying the word of God, even if it doesn’t seem to make sense. It’s an act of compliance; and trust me, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. As this year comes to an end, we have ample opportunities to comply: Loss of a job, loss of a home, death of a loved one, a positive COVID test result of a family member (or yourself), sense of isolation or loneliness – each one may not seem worthy of thanksgiving, but it’s our responsibility to comply with the word of God. The mere fact that you are able to read these words because you have life is a reason for thanksgiving. 

Allocate a few hours to make a list of the things you are thankful for, remember ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. You can take the time approach (past, present and future) or the situational approach (good and not so good situations). This exercise may take more time than one sitting will allow but it will be valuable. You will discover that regardless of your approach, your positives will definitely outweigh your negatives. 

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, I want to be able thank You in all circumstances. Teach me how to show gratitude, act in obedience and act in faith when it comes to my thanksgiving. Rejoicing always and giving thanks is Your will for me and I want to be in line with Your will. Help me to find reasons to always be thankful and remind me of Your will continuously. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Isaiah 43:19 - See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

I have to admit, I like new things – clothes, shoes, purses, perfumes, candles, etc. Please don’t judge me because I know there are millions of people just like me. There’s something about new things that brings people joy. To avoid being a hoarder, it only makes sense to get rid of some old things to truly enjoy the new things. And this is not just material things, habits, negative people, mindsets, philosophies - basically anything that can be new, will have an old counterpart. It doesn’t necessarily mean that for each new you have to get rid of the complimentary old, but it does mean that a release is required. 

God is known for doing new things even though He is the same God, yesterday, today and forever. Each time I read Isaiah 43:19 I get excited because it reminds me that new things can and will still happen. Three months into this year, the world transitioned to a state of social distancing that no one was prepared for. It hit everyone differently but everyone was hit. I heard someone describe it as a sprinkle for some, a shower for some, a tornado for some, a hurricane for some and a tsunami for some. Everyone was impacted one way or another. And in the midst of a storm, God was still doing a new thing. Couples trusting in God for children for 10 plus years gave birth during the storm, people were promoted during the storm, homes were built and purchased during the storm and people were introduced to and reconnected with Christ during the storm. In verse 18 of the same chapter, God tells Israel to “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” The disappointments, doubts, fears and tribulations must be released to receive the new. It is okay to reflect on the past, but it is important to not allow the past to hold you back, cripple you, or prevent you from receiving what He has in store for you. God wants to do a new thing in your life, regardless of what is happening around you. 

As you prepare for the end this year, meditate on Isaiah 43:18-19. Apply it to the area of your life that seems old, stuck, unproductive, or forgotten. God wants to do a new thing in your life. 

PRAYER - Father Lord, I am truly excited and expectant for the new things You will do in my life. Help me to release the necessary old to receive Your new. Teach me how to identify the new things You have in store for me. Show me the way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland in every area of my life, in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 

Proverbs 16:3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Some people are natural born planners and others have had to develop the skill of planning out of necessity, or the desire to be organized. It really doesn’t matter what category you fall into, as long as you understand the need to plan.  The common phrase, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail” by Benjamin Franklin has been quoted more times than I can count because it has been a key philosophy for completing tasks, achieving goals and meeting deliverables. But planning alone will not get us to where we want or need to be. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established (Proverbs 16:3).God wants you to commit your plan or work to Him because He is interested in you succeeding. He wants to guide your plans, fine tune your approach, tweak a few areas or give you a completely new idea that will be far better than your initial plan. Since He knows the end before the beginning and knows how EVERYTHING will play out, He wants to be a part of your plan. 

As you prepare for the Next…(next year, next goal, next vision, next project), commit it to the Lord. The other annual exercise that I do at the end of the year after my reflection is to list out all the goals or tasks that I want to accomplish in the next year. My list is usually pretty long, with some lines having S.M.A.R.T goals and others having one or two words. I write as much as I can and before I act on any, I commit it to the Lord in prayer and fasting. After fasting and praying, I revisit the list; taking a second or third look, some items will be removed completely from the list, others will be noted as a priority for the following year and some will be pushed to a goal for the third or fourth quarter of the year. When I commit my plans to the Lord, listen to His direction, He always comes through. 

What plans do you have for the next year? Write them out for you and for God to see. Commit them to Him in prayer and if you are able to, fast as well. Then sit back and listen for His guidance. Brace yourself because some things may come off and others may be added, but there’s comfort in knowing that your plans will be established because of your act of committing them to Him. 

PRAYER – Dear Lord, thank You for your commitment to establishing my plans when I commit them to You. As I plan and prepare for what’s next, I will commit my plans to You. I want to be led, guided, and instructed by You.  Lord help me to remember Your word when planning and preparing for my next move. Open my heart and ears to hear from You and help me to be obedient to what You ask me to do. I am confident that I am ending this year strong and I look forward to what You have in store for me next year. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.