Ladies and gentlemen, if you are reading this, I would like to congratulate you. You have officially survived yet another year. 2014 flew past us faster than any of us planned. For some, it might have been the greatest 365 days of your life. For others, it might have been a year filled with pain and heartache. Regardless of the hand the year dealt you, there is one thing we all have in common with 2014. What we can all say of 2014 is that it is over. We will never ever get it back. All 8765.81 hours; 525,949 minutes have slipped into oblivion.

Whatever you did last year is over. You cannot change it, whether it was good or bad. As much as you would like to, you cannot go back to June 11 or February 16 or any other date that holds significance to you. Those days are in your past. Life so often does not turn out the way we would have planned, and that is okay. In fact, it is more than okay. I have some more good news—we serve a God whose plan is far better than our best could ever be.

Each day, whether you consider yourself a writer or not, you are adding to the pages of your story. Sometimes you drop the pen, only for it to be picked up by someone who causes your story to shift the wrong way. Many times you smudge the ink or even run out of it. But here’s the beautiful part of it all: we know the Editor. He will not let anything be written that will harm or destroy you. He is writing your story; you are simply a shareholder of the pen. Nothing that is written takes Him by surprise. Just trust the Author of creation; He already knows the ending.

Each story is unique and specific. This means that comparing your story to someone else’s will do you no good. No one can do the things you were called to do or be the person you were created to be. In the words of a great doctor, “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive that’s more youer than you.”

One way to ensure you are walking in the right direction and writing your story correctly is to make sure you are putting things in the right order. A jumbled book makes for a difficult read. The Bible reads in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” When you put Him first, the rest will fall into place. He loves it when His children allow their pens to write about Him first.

If you are experiencing writer’s block, perhaps there are too many other things crowding your mind. Start putting Him in the forefront again and watch and see how it starts to unfold. During one of my last chapel services as an Urshan student we sang the words to this song that are relevant even now. “I will look back and see that You are faithful. I’ll look ahead believing You are able. Jesus, Lord of all.”

He is carefully watching, orchestrating, and leading you. There is no doubt about that. Although that is inescapably true, He also gives us the opportunity to make decisions. He came down to Earth, became a sacrifice, and paid the price we should have paid. He died a death He did not deserve for you.
You know His story. When He rose again on the third day and later ascended into Heaven, the Bible says He sat down. Sitting implies finishing or completion. He sat down, which means it is our turn now. Yes, He is still in control and always with us, but we are His hands and feet until He gets up and returns for His people.

Each New Year, we all hear of the things people are going to change and do differently than last year.

“I will eat right.”
“I will travel to new places and read more books.”
“I will reconnect with my family”

The list goes on and on of all of the different promises people make to themselves and others with the coming of each New Year. This year, this new chapter, remember what is most important and what is going to matter in eternity.

Let go of the page you have been trying so hard to stay on and prepare yourself for something grander. Remember to always put God first because He is the ultimate Author, Editor, and Finisher. There are new adventures, fresh lessons, and new beginnings waiting right over the writer’s block you have built up. The beauty of all of this is that the pages before you are blank, but Someone already knows what you are going to write. So trust Him.

It is true, you will never be able to change or erase 2014, but your story is not over yet. You have the opportunity to make the next chapter different. Be careful what you choose to write. You are not just part of a story; you are a story. Make yours one worth reading. Welcome to Chapter 2015. Don’t worry; everything is going to be great.

Homework
Now that you finished reading this, I advise you to get a journal and use it often. Write down and date your days. Inscribe upon the pages what hurts you and what helps you. Document significant events that were meaningful and things God did for you. You could even write goals and achievements. At the end of this year look back and see how much has changed, how far you have come, and what happened when you let God have complete control.

“Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!”
-Dr. Seuss

Rachel Thorne was born in Florida and has lived in many places throughout the United States. She is a graduate of Urshan College, formerly known as Gateway College of Evangelism. She wants to make a difference and change her world. Rachel is actively seeking the will of God for her life and is willing to do whatever He has for her.