Let’s play pretend.

Say we’ve been transported one year into the future, and you and I are talking over our favorite specialty drinks about how fast this past year flew by.

You mention some of the things you enjoyed, but get quiet for a moment as you think about the things you didn’t do. The dreams that never gained traction. The unfinished manuscripts sitting on your desk. You say quietly, voice heavy with regret, “I wish I would have…”

✓ Maybe you would have liked to attend that writing conference and make your professional development more of a priority.

✓ Maybe you wished you had devoted more consistent time to writing and submitting your work.

✓ Maybe there was that big dream you deeply wanted to reach for, but life (or your own fears) got in the way. Again.

We go on to talk about the possible reasons behind this, and then agree that perhaps this next year will be the year you make real progress toward those important goals and dreams.

But will it? What would need to change?

Ok, we’re back now…

I’m not sure what sort of obstacles or challenges you encountered this past year; but if you’re like many people at the start of a new year, you might look back with some regret. 

The good news is, as Christians we can put those regrets behind us and press forward toward those goals, dreams, and desires with a renewed sense of hope. Why? Because we serve a gracious God, who only has good plans for our lives, and with Whom nothing is impossible.

I read a quote somewhere that stopped me in my tracks. 

“Don’t lower your faith to match your situation, raise your words to match His promises.” 

The Apostle Paul encourages us to live with great expectation in 1 Peter 1:3.  I’d like to encourage you to do the same with your dreams and goals this next year. Particularly with your writing. Wouldn’t it be great if we saw more Christians creating more good books, movies, and articles? Wouldn’t it be grand to see God’s children have greater influence in the Media & Entertainment (M&A) Marketplace? Well, that’s going to take big faith and bold moves. It’s going to take God’s kids showing up consistently and confidently. Whether that’s at your desktop writing more often, online submitting more articles, or at the mailbox sending more query letters. 

As writers, we know this dream is a long game. Success doesn’t usually happen overnight.  But our hope should not be in the outcomes we see today, but in the One who can open doors for us tomorrow and the next day. Our hope is in the One who gives us talents to develop and gifts to share. The One who designed every creative fiber in our being. 

It may sound cliche but time really does pass far too quickly, and sometimes we get stuck in a time loop, looking back year after year, realizing that a lack of faith and clear priorities caused us to miss out on those big dreams yet again. No matter how good our intentions were, they must be matched with daily action, and those actions must be grounded in a clear, God-inspired vision. Habakkuk 2:2 “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.” (NKJV)

You have to “see” where you want to be a year from now, so you can run with it.  This requires reflection, prayer, and planning. The good news is this whole process doesn’t have to be daunting, it can be fun! Nor do you need to take huge steps to make genuine progress; it’s about small steps taken consistently.

Here are three tips to help you start fresh and walk forward into this new year with clear vision and great expectation:

1. Pray with expectancy and thank God specifically. Set aside every day, even if it’s just 15 minutes to dream with God. Open your journal and ask God to speak to you and show you His plans and next best steps. Write them down. Ask Him to help you replace negative thoughts and words that go against that dream with His Word. Thank Him for His past faithfulness and specific steps of progress. “In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” Psalm 5:3 (NIV)
2. Spend time in God’s Word daily, and speak His Word boldly. Stand on His promise to do more than you could think or imagine, just like He says in Ephesians 3:20. Choose confidence in God’s Goodness. There are many assurances in the Bible, write them down and meditate on them. Speak them out loud, for there is life in the power of the tongue.  
3. Find tools that help you gain clear vision and move forward with confidence. You can find many options online, including faith-based ones. Here is a resource you can download for free: Goal Setting Guide

There is no better time than now to move forward with boldness and faith, to that dream, goal, and desire you feel God is calling you to. Let’s have great expectations for this year, centering our hope on God’s good character and His unlimited power. Proverbs 10:28 “The hope of the righteous will be gladness…” (NKJV)

In Case You Missed It...

Check out a review of Karen's recent book, Guess Why God Made the Rainbow, here.

Karen Ferguson is a writer, host of the 5-Minute Parenting podcast, and the author of the Questions for Kids picture book series. A lover of words, family, animals, and Jesus, Karen is a passionate advocate for truth that transforms lives. Her faith in God and background in K-8 education inspires her mission to share God’s unchangeable truths and unchanging love with this next generation. She wants every child to know their life matters. You can follow Karen on Facebook and Instagram and sign up for her free newsletter to be the first to know about special events, book updates, freebies and giveaways.