Bible Verse: Proverbs 4:6-9 GNB 
“Do not abandon wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will keep you safe. Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do. Whatever else you get, get insight. Love wisdom, and she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will bring you honour. She will be your crowning glory.”

Memory Verse: “But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all.” James 1:5 GNB

Welcome to the New Year 2020; a new year with new opportunity to start afresh and have your life shaped and remolded into just what you want it to be and what has purposed it to be. I personally thank God on your behalf as a stay connected reader for the opportunities ahead, because this year shall surely bring greater blessings compared to the just passed 2019. Amen.

While travelling during the festive period, I became extremely bored on my flight. I made use of the on-flight entertainment to while away the time as could not sleep, movies weren’t that much appealing so I opted out of movies and listened to music instead. Interestingly as I was listening to various playlists on Spotify which were totally unrelated to faith, I found myself replaying a very old song just as if its the first time hearing it. The lyrics sounded so fresh and I placed it on repeat until I realised the Holyspirit was giving me the diet topic for the year. As soon as I understood well enough, the song suddenly sounded very old again.

The new year has started and for many, resolutions of things which they like to make of the year alongside goals, aims and objectives have been written out and plans to achieve laid out. This is a good approach and as the year starts in January, this month usually seem a busy time of the year as people do everything possible to set pace, keep it, stay on track and hold tight to the set tasks, working diligently towards achieving those set resolutions. The underlying question which is rhetorical is the going concern throughout the remaining eleven months.

Making resolutions shows good intentions but even the most determined people fail before the first month draws to a close. I found out the reason for this is because most of our resolutions have been written with human wisdom and as such, I see that many people likened to an unqualified vehicle driver, drives into the year with unlicensed.

The benefits of having a valid license (wisdom) to walk through the year are numerous. During the time of preparation to obtain it, you are learning various lessons through your instructor the Holyspirit, and when you finally get your license which means becoming an embodiment of Godly wisdom and continue growing in it; you drive your car with all your lessons being taught in mind and apply every approach, gimmick, strategy and other ingredients you’ve taken on board.  

Moreover, some who have valid licenses maintain it for a while and eventually lose it. This happens because they fail to drive with the set rules and regulations; and we see this in the life of the wisest king spoken of in the bible; King Solomon. Despite being raised by a father who loved the Lord and being the author of most of the chapters in the book of proverbs along with Ecclesiastes and Songs of Solomon, we see in the life of King Solomon someone who had everything he needed but failed to hold on to it till the end. He was an embodiment of niche wisdom as this was given directly by God, yet he got distracted and failed to apply it where needed.

What are your new year resolutions and how do you intend to stay focused till the end? While still in the excitement of making resolutions, I urge you to do all you can to have the right license to drive your year. Get wisdom by asking God before you proceed into anything. Wisdom is not a one-time request; it is a request which requires continuity.

Remember every plan you make without Christ will end in crises. Join me as we start the year seeking the right level of wisdom from the author of wisdom Himself. 

I’m reading the YouVersion plan ‘Bible in One Year 2020 With Nicky Gumbel’. Check it out by clicking on this link: https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/17704

PRAYERS:

• Father I thank You for the beginning of a new year and clean slate
• Help me Lord to go through every day and month of 2020 and finish strong
• Help me not to fall by the way side and embed in me wisdom for daily living
• Forgive my iniquities Lord and let your mercy prevail over judgement
• Thank you Father and in Jesus Name I Pray, Amen.