“But the LORD says, “Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago. Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already­—you can see it now! I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there.”  Isaiah 43: 18-19 GNT

One of the exciting things about the first day of the year is that most people are generally happy for a new beginning; that feeling that the previous year is gone, and a new start awaits. The first day of the year, for the most part, comes with hope, aspirations, renewed/fresh dreams, and a desire to achieve and accomplish goals. This is great, and I think that one of the reasons God has designed the earth in this way is to keep hope alive. Even without external influences, we can look at seasons and be assured that change is coming.

There are, however, a few people for whom the new year arouses more negative, indifferent (or worse) fearful feelings. Some have vivid memories of loss and/or pain from the year. Others see it as just another day making no difference to their mundane lives.

In Genesis chapter 8 verse 22 (GNT), it says: “As long as the world exists, there will be a time for planting and a time for harvest. There will always be cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.”

Opportunities are ever before us, no matter the fix we find ourselves in and this is solely due to God’s mercies which are NEW every morning. Every day you wake up to opportunities and the choice to take advantage of said opportunities and maximise their results is up to you.

The passage in Isaiah 43 says: “Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago.” This is an open secret to the pathway of progression: letting go of the past. It is often said that you cannot focus on your rear-view mirror if you intend to drive forward. Of course, there are some things you may not completely forget but it says do not cling to them nor dwell on them. The past can often be a weight which occupies the space of productivity in the present and amounts to nothing.

The verse continues to say: “Watch for the new thing I am going to do”. To watch means to look at or observe attentively over a period of time. Rather than dwelling on all the things that went wrong in 2021 or the previous years, rather than focusing on the areas of failure, pain, regret, shame, etc, give your attention to what God is going to do in 2022 instead.

The best way to figure this out is to look at His word (the Bible). Search out the plans He has for you and observe and focus on them over a period of time. This is not a quick fix. This is not a hasty resolution made to be discarded in a couple of weeks, it is setting out time to seek direction and taking steps towards that direction.

The verse continues to say, “It is happening already—you can see it now!” God’s word is quick and powerful. You may feel dry, broke, broken, confused (in the wilderness) yet God is promising a way out for you. He is promising the seemingly impossible: STREAMS in the wilderness.

Remember what Genesis 8:22 says. This is your time for planting (putting something in the ground so that it can grow). January is here. Do not sit on the side-lines, instead start putting seeds in the ground. After you have searched and found your direction, start taking steps in that direction.

Start developing yourself, stretch yourself, improve yourself, educate yourself. If you are expecting something in December 2022, you have to start working on it from today. As surely as there is planting season, there is harvest season as well. Start putting in place today processes that will lead to your desired results. Make 2022 your best year yet.

Have a happy and prosperous New Year!