Author and professor Don Whitney has created a fine list of TEN QUESTIONS to consider at the start of a new year. He writes (emphasis added):

The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to stop, look up, and get our bearings. To that end, here are some questions to ask prayerfully in the presence of God.

The value of many of these questions is not in their profundity, but in the simple fact that they bring an issue or commitment into focus. For example, just by articulating which person you most want to encourage this year is more likely to help you remember to encourage that person than if you hadn’t considered the question.

• What’s one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

• What’s the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

• What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

• In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

• What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year? (!)

• What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?

• For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

• What’s the most important way you will, by God’s grace, try to make this year different from last year?

• What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

• What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

I suggest you jot down your answers on paper (writing greatly aids thinking, and adds a little gravity to your answers). Then take up the list and pray over it in the days ahead — or, better yet, share it with a brother and pray with him about it…

Have a Happy & blessed New Year!
pdb