Our family likes to hike. Our vacations to the mountains have always found us on one or two hikes. In fact, one of the first things we do is map out which hikes we want to go on. We pick the destination, usually a waterfall or what’s left of a mining camp from 100+ years ago. Then we check the route, the duration, the difficulty and pick the morning that we will go.  We have been able to experience some of the most amazing views the Rockies and the Smokies have to offer. (If you get a chance ask Sari about that waterfall in the picture) I will admit that we have also seen some amazing things by just setting off with no real destination in mind. But my point is this – if you want a certain destination, it is going to require some intentionality and planning.

2023 is winding down. In just a couple of days we will be welcoming the start of a new year. This changing of the calendar is a great opportunity to reflect. Was 2023 all that you hoped it would be? Did you take steps forward in your life, relationships, careers or did this last year sneak up on you in unexpected ways and you are more than ready to kick it to the curb and welcome a new year.  If we are honest the calendar has little to nothing to do with how are life is going or where we are compared to where we were a year ago. 
Where we are is the result of choices, either ours or someone else’s and then our response to those choices. None of us have ended up at the end of 2023 by accident – we have made choices along the way. We have chosen paths, some marked and some unmarked.  Maybe we had a destination in mind, maybe we didn’t. But every turn, every decision, every choice has gotten us to where we are.

“If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.”  Zig Ziglar

No matter where you are or how you got there, we all have a new year in front of us. New opportunities, new paths, new choices. Where will you be this time next year?

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Benjamin Franklin

If we want to be moving forward, if we want to be able to look back despite the bumps, the hard climbs, the sometimes scary trails, look back and experience peace and joy, we will have to have a plan. We, submitting to the Holy Spirit, can begin to map out what this next year is going to look like.

I want to offer you a little exercise that might help you along the way. In Luke 2:52, we read a verse that many of us seldom stop to think about. A few years ago I was stopped and made to think about it. Here is what Luke wrote.

“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (NIV)

This is really the only information we have about Jesus’ childhood and adolescents. But it maps out four areas where Jesus grew. Year by year. And gives us four areas of growth we should focus on in our own life.
Wisdom – intellectually
Stature – physically
Favor with God – spiritually
Favor with Man – socially

The exercise is to reflect on each of these areas of our own life. Prayerfully take these areas to God and listen to what path he might have for you. Write them down. Take time do this as a family. Help your children set some goals and lean into what God is doing in their life.

Wisdom – is there an area of study, topic that you need to grow in knowledge – maybe scripture, history. Set of goal to learn. Maybe take an online class. Did you know that Dallas Theological Seminary offers free online courses? Sari has taken some of these and loves them. Maybe you students can set a goal to bring up a grade in that one class. Maybe take advantage of the classes your church has to offer.

Stature – where is your physical health? After these last couple of weeks, I don’t need to grow, I need to leave some pounds behind? Maybe you are going to start walking every day, every other day. Maybe join a gym? Find an accountability partner and begin focusing on making healthy decisions, exercising and eating better.

Favor with God – Spiritually how are you doing?  Are you growing? What is the depth of your relationship with God? What direction is it heading?  Could you commit to regularly being in church? You are going to read that Bible, all of it, this year? You are going to start a regular prayer time? You are going to invite friends into a prayer group and pray for each other regularly? You are going to establish times of silence and solitude with God to worship and listen.

Favor with Man – What relationship do you need to focus on this year?  Do you need to be a better Dad? Spouse? Daughter? Employee? Neighbor?  Have you bounced through relationships looking for Mr/Mrs Right not waiting on God?  Who are you learning from and who is learning from you? Maybe you need to join a small group at your church. Maybe this is the year that you gather others around you and do life together?

I don’t know what 2024 has in store for any of us. But I do know that a year from now, I don’t want to look back and wonder “How did I get here?”  Take some time. Get alone with God and begin intentionally living into this new year!

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21  (NIV)