Thursday, January 05, 2006

Reflections and Projections...

Ahh… finally found this article. Reproduced from the good old TOUCH NUS Connexion, a quarterly production by TOUCH NUS ISN 4/94…. Gee… more than 10 years ago!! But the message still resonates in my heart, and I hope yours too… It’s written by a dear brother-in-Christ, whom I had a pact with - to continue to spur one another in Christ (includes knocking the head, slapping the shoulder etc) if either of us dare stray off from God, whom we dearly love and serve with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. We all have a debt to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ… a debt to continue to love one another… don’t we? Rom13:8


Reflections & Projections

It is the time of the year again when the world talks (and jokes) about making (and inevitably breaking) New Year resolutions… For us, however, it must necessarily be different. As God’s chosen people, beloved children and soldiers of His mighty army called to serve Him alone, I believe that each New Year is an important landmark for look back (in evaluation and thanksgiving) as well as forward (in terms of vision, goals and plans).

When the nation of Israel was poised to enter the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering, Moses’ injunction to them not to forget the Lord (in Deu 8) included the important command to remember (v2, 11) all that God has done, and to hope in anticipation of the land promised to their forefathers (v1, 7-9). It was Israel’s failure to obey that led to her sin and suffering. Indeed, a clear command to ‘watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live’ is recorded in Deu 4:9.

I believe nothing streamlines our walk as much as knowing where we came from and where we are going. It is in remembrance and thanksgiving that faith arises ( 1Sam 12:24 – ‘Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all of your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.’) And with rising faith and commitment, we face the challenges of the new year ahead – things that our Father will bring into our lives to teach and mold us, and promises to be fulfilled.

It is important to note that the difference between this and a ‘New Year Resolution’ is that – we are not our own! It is our dear Master and Commander who sits with us both in planning and execution. And He says, “My word that goes out of My mouth (to you)… will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purposes for which I sent it.” Isa55:11

Let us at the beginning and end of this year, and every year of our lives, be able to say with Paul:

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it for a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1Cor 9:24-27

Guidelines for Reflection and Projection
- Find a quiet place and set aside at least an hour or two. Bring along a notebook!
- Ask God to bring you back through the past year (like a motion picture!) – its significant events and lessons learnt / thanksgiving items (you’ll be surprised how much the Spirit helps you to remember!)
- Prayfully ask – and listen – for God’s direction and vision for you in the new year.

SUGGESTIONS for Areas of Life to Consider
* Reflection * – significant events of the past year; new experiences; special areas of growth; other blessings and victories etc

* Projection * – Personal life: areas that God wants to deal with; level of walk / personal devotion / area of service. Ministry: new areas; visions; goals for the new year.

General (The Whole Person)- evaluation and goal setting in the areas of : Spiritual, Social, Physical, Mental, Emotional and Career.
 
Site Meter