2023: The year to try again!

Being alive to ring in the new year is a privilege. For many, it symbolizes a new beginning – a fresh start to pursue our dreams. While many are hopeful, many have gotten cynical. It is a new year, but there is no anticipation as they are convinced the same old problems will plague them. This is understandable as January 1st is not magic. Last year we planned, prayed, and fasted but at times it was difficult to see what changed from the previous year. Instead of going from glory to glory, we seemed to be going from struggle to struggle. As I wrote, the picture of the diamond miner giving up and turning back just as he was about to get his reward flashed vividly in my mind. I want to encourage someone to try again in 2023. God is not through with you yet.

Go a little deeper and try again

There is a story in Luke 5 of Simon Peter and other fishermen, who were out fishing all night but did not catch any fish. Day breaks and the fishermen came back to shore and washed their nets. Jesus, who was on the shore teaching was being pressed by the crowds when He saw two boats. He stepped into the boat belonging to Simon and asked him to put it out a little from the shore. He sat and taught the people from the boat.

⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” ⁵ Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” ⁶ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. ⁷ So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

Luke 5:4-8

I can only imagine how Simon felt. After fishing all night, he was being told to go and do it again – after he would have already washed his net. Simon was obedient, and he was able to catch so many fish that he had to ask his friends for help until both boats began to sink! John 21 also tells a similar story. The disciples were out fishing all night unsuccessfully. Jesus told them to cast their net again but this time to the right. They caught so much fish that they had to walk the net to the shore.

It is hard to try again but God makes the difference

It’s hard to try again when you are at the point of giving up but God makes the difference. Just one word or instruction from Him can change your situation from one of lack to abundance. You may be in the same place but all you may need to do is cast your net to the right instead. 2023 is not the year to give up. It is the year to try again!

In 2023:

Commit your plans to the Lord

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

Proverbs 16:3

Many people do not plan for the new year as they believe God will do what He wants regardless. This may be true, but I find that writing down my plans helps me to identify exactly what I want, and ought to intentionally commit to God in prayer. You may say ‘but I did that before and it didn’t work.’ That may also be true, but there could be many reasons why it didn’t. It may not have been the right time, the way you were looking at doing it wasn’t efficient, or maybe you needed to become more mature so you could handle everything that would come with the answered prayer. I encourage you to pray about it – again. Ask Him for direction and guidance, to send you your destiny helpers, and don’t be premature in your announcements. What didn’t happen in five years can happen in one day.

Trust Him with your new beginnings

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:18-19

It could be an old thing that you are dusting off or a new idea that has sprung forth, approach it with fresh, new eyes. If you want 2023 to be different, everything can’t remain the same. Something must change, if only your mindset. God makes all things beautiful in His time.

Do not worry about the challenges you may face

When you have decided to walk in obedience to God, the enemy of your soul will work overtime to derail your plans. Remember the words in Isaiah 43:2 and press on!

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 43:2

God will see you through

It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

Isaiah 55:11

There is a reason why God has given us diverse gifts – to use them. It is not about whose gift is seemingly better, or who received one while others received five. Whatever gift God has blessed you with use it. It will make room for you and bring you before great men. (Proverbs 18:16) This year, be intentional about utilizing your gifts and standing on the promises of God. God desires for us to bear fruit. Let 2023 be the year we try again.