ROAD TRIP..... At the Crossroads of a New Year
by Donna Rogers
copyright 2008, 2009

New Year -- The Reflections
Read Jeremiah 6:16
Was last year a good or bad year? Was it a year of growth or stagnation? Was it a year of gain or loss? Was it a year you’d like to repeat or a year you’re relieved to see end? Now look at the year from the perspective of your life as a child of God. Did your actions and thoughts reflect those of Jesus? Did you draw closer to God in prayer, service and Bible study? This is absolutely not a time to lay a guilt trip on yourself but a day to objectively reflect on how you acted, thought and responded this past year.

Go back over the questions in today’s devotional. Answer them honestly. You don’t have to actually use paper and pencil – especially if your reflections are painful or shameful – but please talk to God about them. Don’t make any resolutions at this point; just identify what was positive and negative last year.

New Year -- The Resolutions
Read Colossians 1:9-12; 1 Kings 3:1-14; Acts 9:1-22
January 1 is only a date on a calendar that has the same number of hours and minutes and seconds as any day of the year, yet it is a milestone date for many of us. As we stand at the crossroads of an old year and a new year, we want the new year to be better than the past year. Even if the past year was a dandy year for you, you’ll want next year to be even better. Of course, if last year was an unpleasant year, then certainly you’ll strive for a much better new year. At the crossroads of his life, Saul, the persecutor of Christians was converted to Paul, the presenter of the Christian gospel. Paul asked God to fill him with spiritual wisdom and understanding and knowledge of God’s will so that he could live a life worthy of the Lord. In the same way, at the crossroads of his life as the new king of Israel, Solomon asked God to give him wisdom. Losing weight or exercising more are earthly resolutions but of much more importance is gaining wisdom and exercising that wisdom for your growth as a child of God, which will benefit God’s glorious kingdom!

Yesterday you reflected on last year and answered some pointed questions. Now is the time to resolve to make some positive changes in your life. Using the questions in yesterday’s devotional, name two positive ways to make the new year one of growth, peace and service.

New Year – The Road Trip
Read Jeremiah 6:16; Matthew 7:13-14
You can reflect and resolve at the crossroads only so long – and then you must embark on your journey, no matter which road you choose to take. The direction you take, however, will determine your destination. What the Lord told Jeremiah to tell the people applies to us today. "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it." What are the ancient paths? What is the good way? God’s way! The ancient paths are those followed by people who obeyed God. They are the paths of righteousness (Psalm 23:3). They are the paths illuminated by God (Psalm 119:105). They are paths of eternal life (Proverbs 12:28). The common denominator is that these paths are guided by God and lead to God.

As you embark on the Road Trip called the new year, which path will you choose? Do you really want God to guide you – or would you prefer to follow your own paths? Consider now what you want to experience on your upcoming Road Trip. What sites do you want to visit? Are you willing to follow God’s narrow path or will you choose the world’s wide path? Explain.

New Year – The Rules
Read Colossians 3; Matthew 22:37-40; Isaiah 35:8-10
Setting out on a journey with no direction usually ends in a disrupted – if not disastrous – trip. Rarely will you reach your destination without a lot of pit-stops, dead-ends, and rocky roads. The Bible brims with sound advice for a God-like road trip, and no more so than in Colossians 3 where Paul defines rules for living a holy life. You see, God desires that we are holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16, Leviticus 19:2). Anyone who travels knows that rules are vital. Stay in the correct lane. Travel at the correct speed. Extend courtesy to fellow travelers. Avoid road rage! In the same way, God requires that we follow His rules, that we obey His commandments, which are summarized in the two greatest commandments – Love God and love others! Beloved, make it your goal to traverse the highway called the Way of Holiness. As Isaiah tells us, it is a road for those who follow the Way (Jesus) and only the redeemed can walk there. It is a road that leads to the place where the ransomed of the Lord will be crowned with everlasting joy! Now, that’s a destination!!

Why is it important that everyone obeys God’s rules? What happens when some obey but others don’t? How can you implement the two greatest commandments into your roadmap for the new year? Name four specific ways.

New Year – The Renewal
Read Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23-24
A willingness to follow God’s direction comes with a renewal of your mind. Paul taught the Romans that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds, and he told the church at Ephesus: "You were taught to be made new in your hearts, to become a new person. That new person is made to be like God – made to be truly good and holy." As you stand at the crossroads of a new year, you must choose which road you will take. Will you follow your own directions or will you follow God’s? The direction you take will most certainly determine your destination! If you are a follower of Jesus, you have already started down the right road. But are you staying close to the narrow path that Jesus talked about (Matthew 7:13-14), allowing yourself to be guided by God? Or have you meandered off the path, following the ways of the world (2 Timothy 4:10)? As you embark on your journey through next year, strive to follow God’s direction for your life!

What steps can you take in the new year to ensure you will closely follow Jesus? Name three of them. Consider an accountability partner, if necessary, to help you stay the course.