A secret that has really helped me over the years

2015 is coming to a close, and the door is opening for 2016, a year of new possibilities, especially for believers in Christ. The Bible tells us: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

When I was a young pastor, I carried a briefcase everywhere I went (I am now giving away my age…this feels prehistoric!). But I learned a secret that kept me sane. Each afternoon on my way home from work I imagined myself stopping the car, emptying out my suitcase by the side of the road, and going home with an empty suitcase, free of the debris of the problems and stressors of my day. This little mental exercise helped me to focus on God, my family, and my future, being confident that old things have passed away; and all things have become new.

The end of the year is a great time to practice this simple exercise. Let’s thank God for all he has done in our lives in 2015, but stop and mentally empty our suitcase, and enter into 2016 with a clean slate. We can be fully confident that old things have passed away; and all things have become new. And let’s walk in the freedom that comes from focusing on the LORD and on all of the possibilities He has for each of us in 2016!

Expect to have a blessed 2016!