How to reflect 2021 well and enter 2022 with new vision
We’ve made it - not up Mount Kilimanjaro or to becoming billionaires (although if you’re reading this and did do that this year - honey, blesssssss you!). But ya’ll we made it….
Made it through another year of the panorama.
Made it through the heartbreaks of the bad news this world consistently throws at us.
Made it through what we thought we couldn’t on the hardest of days.
But some didn’t - and if you’re grieving those who didn’t make it through the year, I’m grieving with you. I experienced some losses this year as well - so I see you and feel you and grieve with you. Better than that, Jesus grieves with you and can be your comfort if you allow Him to be. He is the God who sees you - E L R O I.
He saw you and everything that occurred and now it’s your turn to take a look back at Him - to see what He did this year.
Reflection is one of the most powerful tools we have access to because it helps us grow in awareness, it can lead to healing, helps us remember important things, can give us a redeemed perspective of what has occurred, and it keeps us hopeful for the future. So that’s how we are going to spend time reflecting today. ***But before we do, I would encourage you to enter this process with wisdom. If you experienced something severely traumatizing - I highly suggest you reflect on that with a therapist, counselor, wise Spirit-filled friend, elder, spiritual director, or pastor. Some things we aren’t meant to reflect alone - especially if we haven’t healed from the situation yet. If that is you, I’m sorry you experienced something traumatizing this year and I pray for your healing, in Jesus’ name
Look back at the year and think through what actually happened. When you look back at things do you remember them differently? What do you now know that you didn’t then? and how do you live, think, or speak differently because of it?
One of the biggest tools the enemy uses against us is our lack of awareness. What we don’t know, don’t pay attention to, or choose to not notice/recognize is a playground for the enemy’s schemes. In order to conquer that, we must reflect and increase our awareness.
If there are things you haven’t healed from that you can process by yourself - this is the time to do it. The Bible says Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor and the Holy Spirit is our comfort. Invite Jesus and the Holy Spirit to be both those things for you as you spend time reflecting on the areas you still desire healing in.
There’s a quote by Jackie Hill Perry that says “Jesus is healing and will heal” - this is speaking of a present gratitude we have for the healing we’ll experience and the deep hope we get to have of being fully healed - whether on this side of heaven or in eternity.
Revelation 21:3-4 says “Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.” (CSB)
As you reflect on this, perhaps listen to this Selah Meditation on Healing - found on the Yas and Amen Podcast. LISTEN HERE!
Ever read the book of Deuteronomy? Well it’s the 5th book in the Bible. It’s the culminating book of what’s called the Pentateuch (To the Christian community) aka The Torah (To the Jewish community). And they were written by Moses - telling the story of the beginning of everything and the first few people in the story of God.
Well, if you’re like me and don’t like repetition, the book of Deuteronomy might frustrate you but read it anyways! Because it teaches a powerful message about remembrance. It repeats itself and constantly says “don’t forget……” and “be careful to remember….”. This is important and matters with our walk with Jesus because we’ve all been in situations and circumstances where all of sudden we just forget how good and faithful God. But this also matters in reflecting. As you think about this year - what are things you should and want to carry into 2022? We live in a culture that teaches us to move on quickly and forget the past but sometimes remembering our past is the key to staying hopeful for the future AND in growing in our faith. And if you didn’t have in mind a book in the Bible you wanted to start your new year with, I recommend Deuteronomy. It may frustrate you and keep you grounded at the same time - sounds encouraging, right? The Bible isn’t a book that’s supposed to make us feel good all the time anyways - it’s shows God’s redeeming love and sometimes that shows up in truths and stories that are harder to digest - still, read it!
Redeem means a lot of different things in the context of our life and the Bible. Here are some definitions you should check out. But in reflecting 2021 - choosing to have a redeemed perspective is so important for step 5 in this reflective list because knowing we are redeemed and having a redeemed
perspective keeps our eyes on Jesus and helps us notice His sovereignty and goodness in all situations and circumstances. So what are some experiences or things that happened this year that you’re wanting God to redeem or that you saw Him redeem? Maybe He redeemed something this year based on something that happened in your life 20 years ago - you will only notice it if you take time to reflect. For an example or some inspiration - here’s a part of one of my redeeming stories.
Ever think about the idea that says we are blind before we come to Christ? That the blind now see? That line is talking about those who are literally blind but also those who are blind because they don’t have Christ. Because hope is not something we can see but when we have Jesus - our hope grows even when our eyes are closed.
Romans 8:24-25 says “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (ESV). We get to enter 2022 with this hope - with our eyes closed and willing to boldly step into the unknown because we trust God - but our trust for God often comes from what we’ve seen Him do. So in 2021, what did you see God do? What big or small miracles did you witness? and How did you notice His goodness? When thinking of all these things - bring them into 2022, as you create vision for the year with H O P E as your foundation.
Here’s a Selah Meditation on Hope and Patience from the Yas and Amen Podcast
We get to enter the year with a vision! Goals are helpful and we should set them - but what if we focused more on the vision around something? On building vision with wonder and wisdom?
Vision is the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom.
This is what we get to do. Plan WITH imagination and wisdom. Sometimes we plan with so much strategy and outside influence that we forget about our imagination and the wisdom God has given us. Below, you’ll find some resources for you to enter and live out 2022 with an intention of fulfilling this vision with hope in Christ, Faith in God, and guidance from the Holy Spirit!
So, as we wrap up - let’s recap! Reflecting 2021 is important because it helps us grow in awareness, it can lead to healing, helps us remember important things, can give us a redeemed perspective of what has occurred, and it keeps us hopeful for the future. And that’s how we are going to spend time reflecting today. Entering 2022 with a vision sets a different intention for your year! And below you’ll find some more free resources to help you start 2022 right!
I pray your 2021 reflections are filled with healing and your 2022 vision is filled with hope!
Below, you’ll find some links that lead you to FREE resources and tools to get your 2022 started with intention, God’s Word, and hope!
Worship Playlist As You Enter 2022 ->
Yas and Amen Podcast Episodes to Help You Cast Vision For 2022
(iTunes links below - Spotify versions can be found here)
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Here’s our reflection for 2021 as a ministry. Would love to hear about your reflections, thoughts on the resources, or vision you have for 2022! Share them below in the comments <3