Genesis 1:1-2

It is important not to rush past these verses. They may be so familiar to us that it would be easy to skip over them. But don’t! These words are foundational for the whole Bible and, indeed, for each of our lives. They are telling us that everything began with God – and so our understanding of the world, human history and our own lives needs to start with God.

As we start a New Year, no message could be more important. We will be given every encouragement to believe that our thinking needs to begin with the economy, education, health, world peace, our family, community or church. But as good and vital as all of those things are, the most important of all is to start by looking at God. As we do so, we are reminded that without him there is no order, no purpose, no life. When God is ignored, everything becomes disordered, confused, formless and empty of purpose.

As you reflect on all the different aspects of your life today, start your thinking with God and let his Spirit hover over all of your plans and hopes in the same way as he hovered over the surface of the waters at the start of time. Look at your daily schedule, your plans for the year, your financial hopes and job prospects and ensure that God is not somewhere in the middle of the planning but at the very start. It is very tempting to sort out our plans for our lives by ourselves, and then ask for God’s blessing on what we have decided to do. That’s not what God wants.

When we get to the end of this year and reflect on all that has happened, God wants us to be able to look back and be able to describe the year by the words: “In the beginning God...”

Question
What are you going to do to ensure that God is in the driving seat of your plans for this New Year?

Prayer
Loving Lord, thank you for the incredible gift of a New Year. Help me to experience your Spirit hovering over every part of the year and guiding me in all that I do. Amen

Released on 1 Jan 2024