There is just something energizing about a new planner. You open it up to see blank pages. Blank pages that are full of possibility. It seems like every year is an opportunity for a clean slate or fresh start. When looking at the empty planner or new year, the possibilities are endless. For a moment, you don’t focus on the negatives, the issues, the holdbacks, or the let-downs. For a moment, the power of change and a different path are laid before us.
Whether the previous year was amazing or completely awful, a new year provides new opportunities. We get to determine in our minds things we would like to complete, differences we want to see, areas we want to prioritize. If last year was great, then we get to focus on making this one just a little better. And if last year was awful, then we get to forget the past and focus on the thought that this year must be better. No matter which circumstances you may find yourself in as you end this year, a blank page is powerful.
As you end the year, there are some things that will set you up for the best opportunity for a fresh start moving forward.
Reflect
It is important to reflect on the previous year; to realize areas that went well and areas that you want to see improved. The most vital part is that you reflect, but don’t dwell. Reflect means to consider or take thought in. Dwelling means living in that condition. It is important to look back, but it is vital to not stay there. Whether the past year was positive or negative, dwelling in it does not move us forward.
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:13-14
“But forget all that–it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19
Renew
One area that we can always improve on is ironically not about us. When it comes to the power of a blank page, the biggest factor is our dependence on God and allowing Him to renew us daily. Life can be hard. Life can be tiresome. It is when we begin to put all the pressure and stress for improvement on ourselves that we begin to lose footing. We must depend on Christ daily to renew us and to provide us the strength, wisdom, and courage for each day.
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23
Rewrite
The power of a blank page is that we get to rewrite our story. As believers, we are no longer the same. We are a new creation. However, part of the responsibility is ours in that we must live in the fact that we are new. We have to wake up each day and live in the freedom of being a new creation. The only way to truly rewrite a story is to let God grab the pen. To allow Him to lead, guide, and direct our days, which in turn determines the course of the year.
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Put on your new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.” Colossians 3:10
“Put on your new nature, created to be like God–truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:24
I think God in His goodness gives us blank pages every year. A chance for a fresh start again. A chance for reflection on all His blessings and all the heartache. A chance for renewal in our spirit and to know that the only way anything will ever be different in our lives is when we depend on Him more. And a chance to rewrite the story. The opportunity to live in the newness of who God has created us to be.
Every year is a blank page. What will you do with it this year?
Written by Amy Carrico
Author of Making the Moments Matter Blog
Last Updated on January 3, 2024
I’m giving God the pen!!! Thank you for this uplifting way to look at a blank page as a good thing and not a daunting task or scary thing but a chance to start fresh each day!