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Shownotes: Have You Taken Your New Year Pause?
It’s a new year. Did you make resolutions? Or, perhaps you made a commitment to God for the year. The transition to a new year provides a great opportunity to stop, prayerfully review the old, make confession as needed, celebrate the victories, then be still and do the new year pause.
Today is January 8th. One week into the new year. If you haven’t done your new year pause yet, do it now, for before you know it, January will be over. That’s not what we want but it happens. These days, time is moving quickly. That’s partly because so much is happening.
Yes. At personal, local, national and international levels there is a whole lot going on. There is a lot going on in your church and in your life. Some of it is planned, some of it is unplanned. There will be births and deaths, weddings, different kinds of celebrations, illnesses, recoveries, job losses . . . the list goes on. As the preacher said:
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace (Ecclesiastes 3:1–8).
And, in it all and through it all, God is. God remains the same. God is still the creator and the one who knows the beginning from the end. Be sure to have your new year pause. Here are three quick reasons why that also give insight into what the new year pause, for the new year’s pause is really a God-pause:
- The new year pause allows us to spend time with God, savoring God’s presence, gaining strength, wisdom and direction from God, the God who knows the beginning from the end. It keeps us from going full steam ahead in busyness and that which may not be needful. Instead we find out what God desires so that we can fulfill those desires
- The new year pause sets the tone for the year. It reminds us to continually build in times to be centered and when necessary re-center in God, spending time being with and hearing from God. Of course, telling God all that’s going on is included. We start with a pause and then ensure that we have regular pauses. Keeping Sabbath is a key way of doing this.
- The new year pause honors God as we acknowledge that this life, this ministry is not ours, but God’s. We are God’s temple. “We are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life” (Ephesians 2:10).
Overall, the new year pause gives us the strength to live out 1 Peter 4:7–11:
The end of all things is near;[d] therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 4:7–11).
Photo credit: Myriams-Fotos / Pixabay.com
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Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Music: “A True Friend” by Josh Molen
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Claire Annelise Smith, Phd, is a spiritual mentor and coach who empowers successful leaders to navigate life transitions with confidence, hope, and love. She helps clients maintain a strong connection with God, achieve personal and professional growth, and develop greater inner peace and resilience. Dr. Claire’s diverse background and transformative coaching methodology set her apart as an expert guide for those seeking clarity, purpose, and improved relationships.
Dr. Claire is also the founder of Strategic Lifestyle Connection, the platform through which she delivers her coaching, publications, and programs to empower successful leaders in transition.