A New Year, A New You

The new year always conjures up a need for reflection. Last Sunday I was sitting in church thinking about the past year and everything seemed to be the same. I live in the same house, have the same job with the same boss, I have the same relationship status, and I still have amazing family and friends.  I have the same awesome life and I was a little bummed. God has blessed me so much and I was so enveloped in my own expectations of "progress" that I was missing what God had done in me this past year.
Once  I was reminded by Phil 3:8 that everything is considered loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, I finally was able to clearly see the blessing of this past year. I have grown to know the character of God to a new depth this year which has created worship in my heart. I have been able to see the cost of my redeption in a more intimate way that has resulted in praise of my Savior. I have been surrounded by women who will keep my accountable and spur me on to greater dependency on the Lord. I have felt a hunger for God's word and the holy spirit teaching me new things about myself and about God.  I have felt God's presence in a more consistent way this year. If that is not reason to celebrate, I can't imagine what would be.
As I look forward to this next year, I realize I need God's presence even more as God continues to reveal to me my sin. I am studying 1 Peter with my missional community and I have reminded that my worship and praise is not to be contingent on the blessings that God has brought me.
1 Peter 1:8-9
"Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,  obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

My prayer this year is that I would love God and rejoice with that is inexpressible and filled with glory!
Here is a beautiful Puritan prayer regarding the new year from The Valley of Vision:

O Lord,

I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year:

With Thee, O Father as my harbour,
Thee, O Son, at my helm,
Thee O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Guide me to heaven:
With my loins girt,
My lamp burning,
My ear open to Thy calls,
My heart full of love,
My soul free.

Give me:

Thy grace to sanctify me,
Thy comforts to cheer,
Thy wisdom to teach,
Thy right hand to guide,
Thy counsel to instruct,
Thy law to judge,
Thy presence to stabilize.

May:

Thy fear be my awe,
Thy triumphs my joy.

Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed:
In Thy presence,
In Thy service,
To Thy glory.

Give me a grace that:
Precedes,
Follows,
Guides,
Sustains,
Sanctifies,
Aids every hour.

That I may not be one moment apart from Thee, but may rely on Thy Spirit:
To supply every thought,
Speak in every word,
Direct every step,
Prosper every work,
Build up every mote of faith.

 

And give me a desire:

To show forth Thy praise;
Testify Thy love,
And advance Thy kingdom.

Amen.”