Another Year Is Dawning

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In
working or in waiting, another year with Thee.
Another year of progress,
another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the
days.Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year
of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning upon Thy
loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another
year of service, of witness for Thy love,
Another year of training for holier
work above.
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
On earth, or
else in Heaven, another year for Thee.

I want to dissect what this hymn means for me today:

To me this says “God, it’s in your hands.” If You allow it Lord, so shall it be.

In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.

How true is this? We don’t know what this year is going to hold – nobody does. Whether it is filled with much joy or pain, gaining or loss, in the end, it’s another year to be with Him. Thus far, it is a year of waiting, and though we are eager to see where God will bring us, we know this is what He wants for us right now.

Another year of progress, another year of praise,

Do you see this year as another year to grow in faith and grace? Another year to grow in His image? Another year to praise him no matter what the circumstances? This is a challenge for me this year!

Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Have you ever heard of the poem “The Dash”? It has been years since I have read it, but basically it’s about the dash on your gravestone someday – what is it going to say? The dates on your grave – yes, they say when you were born and when God took you home, but what about the life lived in between? At my funeral, I want people to be able to say that I “proved Thy presence all the days.” I don’t want there to go a day that I have not proved His presence with my life – again, another challenge for me this year.Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,

Talk about humbleness before God! God’s mercies, grace, and faithfulness are unfailing. May my life be a representation of these things this year as well!

Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;

The other day as I was driving to work, I just started to tear up as I loudly said “I LOVE YOU, LORD.” It was just me and the vehicle, but I knew God heard me. I truly do love Him. I was listening to a song and it just sparked the need to say that loudly. I was just so glad to be serving the Lord – I want that gladness to continue this year.

Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;

Never have I felt the need to lean on God more! Think about this word-picture. Is it not beautiful? I picture myself sitting on the lap of God, Him comforting me during the toughest of times, stroking my hair and saying “it’s okay, Kristin.” That is what God offers EVERYDAY – are you willing to accept Him? I just need to CHOOSE to lean on Him and not on myself – and yet another challenge.

Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Do I rest in God’s peace? Do I trust Him – the kind of trust that offers peace? The kind of trust that offers a quiet and happy rest? I think too of the Sabbath. I have really been trying to take the Sabbath more seriously. I have so enjoyed my Sundays all the more since challenging myself in this – God created it for us. And in starting off my week with quiet, happy rest, it has only increased my trust in Him.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,

Do you have the kind of faith that moves you to serve? Do I serve out of a loving heart – out of the love that God has for me? Or do I do things out of obligation? Kristin, check your heart in EVERYTHING you do – God loves a cheerful giver! This year I want to challenge to give of myself in ways I haven’t thought of before.

Another year of training for holier work above.

So what does this mean? For me, I know it means staying in His Word. This means filling my mind with things that are pleasing to Him. This means taking time out of my day to reflect. To grow. What are the things in my life that are “training” me for work that is earthly and not holier? Are there things I need to rid in my life so that I better reflect Him?

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be

Thank you Lord, for another year…

On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.

Lord, no matter what you have in store for us this year, may we live it for YOU, and YOU alone. May this year be all about You and less of us!