Enthusiastically, Dawn

And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been. -Rainer Maria Rilke

Every new year since I have become a Christian has been filled with great expectation of things to come in the here and now of a brand new year. As a believer I know eternity is the greatest expectation I look forward to, but with these earthly eyes set on the path that lies before me, I desire wholeheartedly to make the most of the time that commands my view. Setting one’s mind and heart on things above when things all around are shaky is something that takes a bit of planning and practice. One year ends, but the lessons learned and time spent cultivating a deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ are eternal. Therefore, each year I set out with two things tenderly in hand to help keep Jesus clearly in my view when my world begins to quake- or even shake a little- from my perspective.

I say “things” but really they are more like commitments that God helps me keep. The first is choosing One Word to carry with me- an umbrella, if you will, as I walk through the year. The second commitment is time with the Lord every day. Like a date with God, if you will. These two things allow me to prioritize the single most important relationship I have – my relationship with the God who I cannot see, but who is present by faith, faithful and more beautiful and precious to me with each passing year.

If you are a Christian you may have a daily quiet time, and I hope you do- and by this I mean, a time when you give your total attention (to the best of your ability and by God’s grace) to God-which is devotion, right? How many other things do you “devote” yourself to during the day? Your time, attention, complete focus? It’s frightening to consider the things that can and do occupy our time. Sometimes by necessity, but often by our own free will. The free will we’ve been given from the God who created us. What’s amazing to me is the God who runs the universe is still aware and attentive to me. He hears me and cares for me. No, I can’t prove that with some kind of solid evidence. But, it is true. The evidence is not seen but unseen to the naked eye- more like a slow growing plant still under the soil, or the sweet taste that can only come over time as a fruit ripens. God operates in a stealth and steady but hidden realm. He never sleeps, and He is always busy on behalf of His people and Kingdom.

I am on track to finish reading the Day-by-Day Chronological Bible with Daily Readings Guided by George H. Guthrie. For 2024 I decided to read the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) version and this particular BIble was an excellent partner. The Bible is broken down into weekly themes and daily readings. I really appreciated Guthrie’s commentary and direction throughout. One of the great features of this reading plan/Bible was the readings went over six days. Day seven was a summary. This was helpful on weeks I missed a day. Most often I would be caught up in the Biblical narrative, and come to my desk on Saturday morning forgetting I only had to read the summary. This was always a happy surprise, and allowed me to keep up with my other Bible studies and reading goals.

I love the tips Dr. Guthrie offers in the introduction, and since we are on the brink of a new year, when many are choosing their Bibles, reading plans, and setting such intentions, these seem like great advice for all. I have listed these four tips below, with my thoughts alongside.

1. Always keep the Big Story in view. This particular BIble does that well, and purposefully, but the concept/advice can be applied to reading scripture always! It’s interesting that this year I have also been reading through Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. It’s a story of magnificent magnitude, multi-layered and genred, like the BIble. I am at the last 100 pages. It is such a story, and like all well written stories has truths layered within its pages. The BIble is the whole truth and nothing but the truth. The truth of Jesus Christ is revealed from the first to last pages. Every story in the Big Story leads back to the One foundational story, the essential story and truth of God’s good plan and victory in the Cross of Christ that leads to redemption for humanity.
2. Don’t get bogged in the passages you don’t understand. Dr. Guthrie points out the fact that some passages of the BIble are just plain difficult to understand. That is actually one of the reasons this year I am taking a different approach to my DBR (Daily Bible Reading) plans. Sometimes when you are committed to a plan like this it means sacrificing a deeper dive in scripture for sake of the overarching Story and pace. Let’s face it- life happens.
3. Read in community with others. Even though I believe we all can benefit from daily time and study in God’s word, equally important is time together with others studying and seeking God’s truth in scripture. Interestingly, “Seeking Him” by Nancy Leigh DeMoss Wolgemuth is one of the studies I have been enjoying in community with other women this year. This is so helpful for discussing questions and challenging verses in the safe haven of a few people. For me, one on one and small groups are preferences to larger group studies. 1-3 is big enough, and helps to build confidence and trust for harder conversations that are needful for growth as a believer.
4. Pick up tools to help you read the Bible better. There are so many free, useful tools available online for Bible Study these days. One needs discernment and the support of mature believers to navigate the plethora of options available. But study platforms with many popular and respected commentaries are accessible and sometimes free or reasonably priced. I really enjoy both BibleGateway and The Net Bible online. I have collected hardcover study resources for many years now, mostly picking up second hand commentaries, and books.

The best part of a new year is the blank slate offerred. For we who believe in Christ and hold our hope in Him unwaveringly all year long, Christmas allows us to enjoy and magnify our Savior in the best ways. I think Christmas emboldens us a bit, if we let it. We approach a new year after considering this tiny King born unto us, born in humility, coming to show us the way to God and the way to peace. We are invited in, and offerred a place around the manger, we are welcomed by the familiar scene. Every year Christ comes, and every year invites us to journey once more with Him from birth to the Cross of Calvary. Every year we are asked, will we believe, will we accept the gift, will we take hold of it? Every year we have an opportunity to trust, to hope, to start again. What do we say to such a gift? What do we say to this babe who longs to hand out a fresh start to us- even a new heart. A heart not of stone, but made to seek the One True King and one that worships Him. All year long.

I say, YES. Bring it. Bring us the that baby again, and again. GIve us the hope that comes down from heaven, wrapped up in swaddling clothes, dirty and wet- fresh from the womb. Give us the hope of the manger, that we too, believe there is hope for us. Even we who are, woefully weary, exhausted travelers on roads to nowhere, prideful pilgrims, and not-so-faithful saints.

Yes, bring on the new devotionals, Bibles and reading plans. Make your plans, and set your intentions- trusting in the One who lit up the night in Bethlehem on that first Christmas morning.

I’d love to know how you are planning to keep your faith alive, and red hot in the new year. I’ve so much more I could say, but I’ll leave it with a thank you. Thank you for reading these words today.

May your holidays bring you all the peace and joy promised, and possible with Christ.

Enthusiastically, Dawn

PS- I will follow up with my BIG IDEAS for 2025 here shortly!