Time to Disconnect and Reconnect

As we embrace the hope of a new year, Robert Burns reminds us to cherish the memories of years gone by.

Although many of us may wish to erase 2020 from our hard drives, we all have much to learn from it.

Circumstances may have required us to slow our paces and set aside (for a while at least) our frenzied lifestyles. As a result, we may have found some needed rest.

“Come to Me, all of you who work and have heavy loads. I will give you rest. Follow My teachings and learn from Me. I am gentle and do not have pride. You will have rest for your souls.”—Matthew 11:28-29 (NLV)

Circumstances may have required us to learn new ways of performing old jobs. As a result, we may have grown in knowledge and in spirit.

“And this is my prayer: I pray that your love will grow more and more. I pray that you will have better understanding and be wise in all things.”—Philippians 1:9 (NLV)

Circumstances may have caused us to experience pain, suffering, or loss this past year. As a result, we may have learned to refocus our values and cherish those we hold dear.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.”—Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

Circumstances may have caused many of us to feel a sense of disconnect with our families, our work forces, our churches. We may have been required to work from home or celebrate the holidays in a virtual setting.

I lost my home internet connection for several days when an AT&T transmission hub was hit by an explosion in downtown Nashville on Christmas Day. I was cut off from social media and email and sources of information I took for granted on a day-to-day basis.

However, I was never disconnected from the true Source of power in my life. In fact, taking time away from my computer and my phone allowed me to give more time to God. Disconnecting has helped me to reconnect.

As we approach this new year with hope in our hearts, I challenge myself and all of you to focus on your connections.

Daily devotions and journaling are great ways to connect with God and bring us into a closer relationship with Him and with our inner beings.

In his 365-day devotional The Bard and the Bible, Bob Hostetler suggests, “There may be no better time to forget what has been and envision a different future for yourself than at the beginning of a new year. It is an ideal moment to commit your life and future to following Jesus. . . . It is an opportunity to forget what has been and plan for what may yet be.”

These devotions focus on parallels between Biblical passages and Shakespeare’s works. The author’s clever insight allows the reader to make a connection with God’s Word and, at the same time, gain wisdom from Shakespeare’s literary characters.

Another collection, Book Lover’s Devotional, offers sixty short reflections on various works of literature from Dickens to Dostoevsky. Each selection provides parallel scriptures and questions for further thought.

In a similar manner, Crystal Bowman helps parents and children connect with God through her book The One Year Devotions for Preschoolers. There is much profundity in the simplicity of her stories, Bible verses, and prayers for children.

Deborah Coty’s Too Blessed to Be Stressed encourages women to add themselves to their own to-do lists. Her insightful devotions help women from early motherhood to late menopause strengthen their spiritual journeys.

Devotional books are available to suit everyone’s needs. Here are a few more of my personal recommendations: Amy Parker’s The Plans I Have for You (available in both devotional and journal format) is a ninety-day devotional for children. The Power of a Praying Teen by Stormie Omartian connects teens to scripture and true stories that will strengthen their faith. Get Your Spirit On by Michelle Medlock Adams offers forty devotions for cheerleaders. Every Moment Holy by Douglas Kaine McKelvey provides liturgies for mundane walks of life from changing diapers to feasting with friends.

If you prefer writing your own daily reflections rather than reading those of others, you might resolve to log your thoughts in a special notebook designed for journaling.

Whether you use a plain composition book or a planning calendar or a book of blank pages waiting for you to keep track of your thoughts, take time each day to connect with God, with the Word, with your inner reflections of the world around you. DaySpring offers some beautiful journaling Bibles that might also meet your needs.

During this pandemic I have heard many people refer to their confusion about time. What day is it again? Every day seems like Saturday. I think that happened one day last week—or maybe it was the week before. These devotionals and journals and planners might be a good way to help us all keep track of our days.

If staying connected to technology is a priority, you might consider signing up for a daily email devotion. I personally recommend Jesus Calling and christiandevotions.us. Both of these resources offer brief, insightful ways to begin or end your day.

As we begin our journey into 2021, let us all take the time to truly listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts. Let’s disconnect enough so that we can reconnect in a more significant way.

Reset your modem. Reconnect to the Ultimate Power Source.

Read the Word. Write the Word. See It. Hear It. Heed It.

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering ‘it will be happier.’”—Alfred, Lord Tennyson

“The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul.”—G. K. Chesterton

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”—Isaiah 43:18-19

“Inhale the future, exhale the past.”—quote inside a Dove chocolate candy

John 15:4; Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 3:3; Psalm 121