Dear Church Family,

I filled out a form the other day that required me to put the date on it. It felt so strange as I wrote “2023.” I thought, “Already?!” I mean, I just got used to writing 2022! But alas, like it or not, a new year has come.

Now it’s usually at this point that pastors and preachers like to use this opportunity to quote Paul’s famous forward-thinking words, “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal” (Philippians 3-13-14). And I’m no exception. I believe we, especially in the church, live too much in the past, expecting to reclaim some long-ago glory that we thought existed “back then.” And Paul demolishes such foolery by telling us to live the day-to-day with where we’re headed in the future in mind, not how things were in the past. Many people and churches never progress because they’re enamored with how things used to be. It’s a death sentence for a church and often for the joy that’s supposed to be ours in Christ.

But nowhere does the Bible tell us to forget the past. In fact, God tells us vividly to remember the past. Again, we can’t live there nor make decisions that focus on recapturing it – that’s just foolish. But we must certainly reflect upon the past in healthy ways. Here are 5 ways to healthily reflect on 2022, whether you consider it a good year or a not-so-good year.

Learn from it. Let’s be honest. You made some good decisions last year, and you made some really bad, maybe even sinful, decisions. That’s life in a fallen world. Honestly evaluate what you got right and what you got wrong. Don’t hold back. Now learn from them and make even better ones 2023.

Thank God for it. We have much to be thankful for! If you look back at 2022, take a few minutes and think of

all the blessings that He showered on you. Look, even if last year was what you would call a bad year, you still received much. The grace of God is always in overdrive. Be sure to thank God for it. If nothing else, you made it through the year.

You overcame it. That brings me to the next point. You may have been severely beaten up by 2022. Hit by

disasters, tragedy, heartache, loneliness, depression, and a host of other tools of Satan. And honestly, maybe you didn’t even handle it that well. But listen, you made it! By the grace of God, you walked into 2023. All that the devil threw at you, and guess what, you’re still here! That’s no small feat. As the old praise song goes, “We will overcome through the blood of the Lamb.” Praise God!

This too shall pass. Another word to those who limped into 2023. 12:01 on January 1, 2023 should be a bright illustration for you who are struggling. Everything passes. And just like the years will pass, so too will your walk in the valley. Hang on. Trust God. Lean on Him. A new dawn is breaking.

Share it. Find a way to capture 2022. In print. In pictures. Whatever. Tell of the highlights of the year. Talk about the struggles. Note God’s faithfulness through it all. Not only will your captured history be fun for you to look back on in years to come, it will be so invaluable to the generations that follow you!

Happy 2023!
See you Sunday!
Pastor Lane