End Well: 3 simple ways to finish the year strong

December is a full month for me. I normally order my new planner, start my yearly reflection, and begin planning for the new year.

This year, however, I heard the Holy Spirit quietly whisper something new—“End Well.”

In the planning for the next year, I took my eyes off what God wanted to do right NOW and how God wanted this year to end.

God is still moving. God is still healing. God is still blessing. God is still reconciling. God is still a way maker.

God has work HE still wants to do THIS year.

I don’t want to miss what HE wants to do now because I am so preoccupied with preparing for the next.

I want every answer, every blessing, every open door God promised me in this year.

So I am leaving nothing on the table. Oh, no! I am going to hold on to every word God is speaking NOW so I can end this year well.

Can you relate?

My mind is made up. I am going after everything God is doing THIS year in three simple ways.

Limit your distractions

Between parties, meetings, and traveling, the end of the year brings an abundance of opportunities to keep your mind, your heart, and your mind busy.  Plus, all the reminders to start planning and goal setting for the new year can tug at our attention too.  If we are not careful, we will physically present but mentally absent.  Our minds will be caught up in the what ifs and possibilities of a new year while our bodies are waiting to play catch up.

Don’t let this be you friend.

If we are going to END WELL in this year, then limiting our distractions is going to play a vital role.  With a few adjustments, we can make it easier to keep our hearts and minds focused.

Plan your events in moderation: As a momma, I know firsthand the busyness of the Christmas school schedules.  Band concerts, class parties, secret Santa exchanges, ordering Christmas cards—the list can go on and on.  I get it.  It’s tempting to try to do it all, but everything comes at a cost.  Be willing to say NO.

Prioritize intimate time with God. An important aspect to finishing the year strong is prioritizing God in our everyday schedules.  Make time to get with Him in prayer, worship, and praise.  It’s hard to hear what God wants us to do when our minds are cluttered with mindless activities and endless things to do. 

Steward your assignments

Too often, we have our eyes on what we are going to do next year. You know the weight we are going to lose, the book we are going to start writing, the business we are going to start, or how we are going to prioritize our marriages. Oh, yes—“going to” is usually lingering somewhere.

Finish the year strong has a lot to do with how we are stewarding the assignments God has already placed in our hands.

EVERYTHING we have in our lives is a gift from God.

The same God who spoke light into existence is the same God who gave our form a shape and breathed life into our lungs. Before time ever existed, He already created a purpose and plan for every single one of us. He’s anointed, called, and equipped us for the assignments He has placed in our hands.

Just think every person and every place we go is an opportunity to take God with us. We are not here to merely be led by dates on a calendar. We are meant for more than saving for retirement, building a home, or traveling the world. Every moment is an opportunity to spread the love of Jesus, to make His name known, and to build His kingdom. We can only do this if we are stewarding well the people and assignments He’s placed in our lives.

He’s given us what we need so we can be good stewards faithfully and purposefully.

Take time to do a heart check. How are you showing up?

We don’t have to wait for anything new to complete what God has already started. Want to get healthy, drink the water today. Want to improve your relationship with your spouse, make time to talk today. Want to start writing, write the first paragraph. Want to prioritize your home, put the phone down, and spend time with your loved ones today.

Stewarding who and what God has assigned to us has less to do with a date on a calendar and more to do with His timing. Whatever God has entrusted you to do, do it and do it well.

Walk through the doors

God’s remarkable love has given everything in our lives purpose. Just think before our mothers ever held us, God already accepted us. Before anyone spoke our names, we were already known by God.

Friend, let’s not wait for the new year where we are a bolder, braver, stronger version of ourselves. Choose today to step right into who God uniquely created us to be. Embrace your voice. Stop hiding behind shame. No more compromise.

Once we are willing to demolish fear, we will continue to walk out the plan God has for us this year.

There are people THIS year waiting for us to walk out our kingdom purpose. People who are waiting on us to bring the light of Christ into our homes, our workplaces, even the grocery store.

We will NOT become who God made us to be by remaining who we were. We are made for more.

So leave NOTHING on the table this year. Do you hear me? I said leave NOTHING on the table.

Make this the year where you finish what God started in you. How you end the year can have a significant impact on how you walk into the next year. Choose to end well. Limiting your distractions, stewarding your assignments, and walking through the doors God has opened for you will help you finish this year strong. God is still moving, are you making room?

Cheering you on,