By Pr. Rhoda Klein Miller
One of the things I like best about the new year is hanging up new calendars and opening new daily planner. All those fresh blank pages ripe with possibility. I’ve already marked down key dates for the year including vacations and my sister-in-law’s wedding. However when I look back at key events from the previous year at least half were not forseen in January. Some were wonderful blessings and others devastating losses or setbacks. Proverbs 16 offers several nuggets of wisdom for those making plans. The best counsel is verse 3: Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans. How do we commit our plans to God? With prayer. Before I start my day or open my planner I ask God to guide my intentions and decisions. I declare my surrender and trust to Him the things outside of my control. I ask the Holy Spirit to be my guide and conscience. I remain open to changes while I watch and listen expectantly for a response from Jesus. As we enter this new year, I invite you to renew your commitment to frequently pray about your goals, priorities and agenda. The Lord speaks in Isaiah 55:8-9 saying “as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways.” We can trust our Creator and Heavenly Father has the big picture in mind and is ultimately working for our good.