January is traditionally a time of year to shed the old of the past and put on the new of a shiny year ahead. I reflect, prepare, and make plans to begin a new thing or stop a bad habit. Many January’s have come and gone and my planning and preparation quickly diminish. February comes and my resolutions become distant memories. March rolls around and the unwanted guilt sets in. April appears and I am left feeling defeated and weak. Am I the only one?
I tend to get lost in the wilderness of resolutions quickly. Could the reason be that I am not strong enough to see them through? Could it be God’s plans are already in place and set into motion? Maybe it is because I am not meant to do the planning alone.
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NASB) tells me,
“Do not call to mind the former things,
Or ponder things of the past.
Behold, I will do something new,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it?
I will even make a roadway in the wilderness,
Rivers in the desert.”
I believe God is trying to tell me something here. Indulge me as I break it down.
“Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past.” – I am reminded, very simply and plainly, to not dwell on the things I have not completed. I shouldn’t worry myself with my past mistakes or choices. While they may not have been the wisest ones, I am to learn from them so I do not to repeat them.
“Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it?” – God is already planning on my behalf. He is developing before me His plan to work in His timing. When He is ready for me to know what His plans are, He will reveal them to me.
“I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.” – Even though my circumstances may seem bleak at the moment, God is making the path ahead of me. I can rest in the knowledge of His promise to do what is best for me. It may be difficult for me to see the road ahead, but I am reminded that His path is the path to take.
My days of making resolutions for the New Year are in the past. January is no different for me than any other month of the year. Goals are made for my future, of course, but they are made in any month I feel the need. I take my plans throughout the year to God in prayer and know if they are within His will, they will come to fruition. Romans 8:28 reminds me, “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to this purpose.” His purposes are greater than mine. He has the master plan. I am here to be used by Him for His glory.
“I no longer feel the need to “ponder the things of the past”, but instead look forward to the future God has planned for me. I take rest knowing He will make a roadway in my wilderness and rivers in my desert.”
~ Kimberly Dewberry
I’ll be praying for you.
Kimberly
Meet Our Guest Contributor
Kimberly Dewberry struggled for 25 years to cope with the pain, hurt, guilt, regret, unworthiness, and shame brought on by her father’s addictions. As her life devolved into a predictable pattern of poor choices caused by the dysfunctional thinking of an alcoholic household, Kimberly’s image of God was skewed by an inner turmoil only he could heal. Because of the loving grace of Jesus Christ, she has broken free from the shackles of rebellion and anger, and made it her life’s mission to share her journey through courageous prose. Her heart’s desire is to help other adult children of alcoholics identify and overcome unhealthy cycles of destructive living that the specter of alcoholism leaves behind. Kimberly often testifies at recovery meetings about the serenity and peace of God’s redemption, which are keys to personal wholeness. She also shares biblical insights to everyday problems through her devotional blog, This is My Story.
Kimberly and her husband Patrick are the parents of 6 grown children between them and live in the Dallas area with their three furry friends. When not working as vice president of secondary mortgage operations at a North Texas bank, Kimberly enjoys writing, reading, Bible art journaling, participating in Bible studies, and dating her husband.
You can follow Kimberly at www.kimberlydewberry.com
Leave a Reply