Preparing for a New Year

Happy New Year! 2012!  Each new year comes with the anticipation of new directions, new opportunities, new challenges, and a renewed look at the priorities of life.  Each new year is like pressing a reset button in my life as I begin to contemplate and dream about the possibilities of what could be in the coming year.  This anticipation always gives me great energy when I begin a new year.  This year is no different.

Yet I cannot ignore that fact that with the possibilities and opportunities that will be available for the coming year, will also bring challenges that must be met and dealt with along the way.  While dreaming can create a tremendous amount of anticipation for what is ahead, I cannot ignore the preparation that is necessary to meet those challenges which accompany the dream.  That is why I must take an honest evaluation of my personal disciplines and prepare my heart and mind for the task ahead.  Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: “Whatever games are played with us, we must play no games with ourselves.”

It is easy for us to dream, it is difficult to discipline ourselves to meet the challenges that lie ahead.  We can crash and burn when the challenges become overwhelming, or we can rise to the occasion with knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.  Too many potentially great leaders have crashed and burned because they did not take the time to learn, understand, and apply wisdom to the challenge.  Solomon wrote in Proverbs 2, that we must make our “ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.” (Prov 2.2-6 ESV)

Do whatever it takes to get knowledge, understanding and wisdom, and you will find the challenges will become less threatening to the dream in your heart!

What are you doing to prepare for the new year?

Chad