<p class="bodytext">Amidst the flood of New Year greetings and messages I received on WhatsApp as the year began, one post, from a friend who is also a priest, resonated with me for its insight. It read, “May we fulfil God’s plans and purpose for our lives more faithfully and fruitfully this year!”</p>.<p class="bodytext">This simple yet profound message made me reflect, offering me a meaningful starting point for the year ahead. I found myself contemplating two key ideas: “plans and purpose” and “faithfully and fruitfully.” <br />What unfolded touched and enlightened me. </p>.<p class="bodytext">We all make plans—both grand and small—for ourselves and our loved ones.</p>.<p class="bodytext">We plan for our finances, careers, holidays, and relationships. We invest time and thought, pouring purpose into these plans. Yet, despite our best efforts, many of our plans tend to fail. </p>.<p class="bodytext">At such times, we feel disappointed, often blaming God and others for our failures. But if we pause and examine why our plans fail, the truth that we have overlooked God’s plans for us becomes evident. We have tried to fit our own plans into our lives, disregarding the fact that God has a greater purpose in mind.</p>.<p class="bodytext">This fact is well exemplified all through the Bible. Isaiah 55:8-9 reads: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways - saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”</p>.<p class="bodytext">Similarly, Jeremiah 29:11 reads: “For I know the plans I have for you - declares the Lord; plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” And again, Romans 8:28 reads, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”</p>.<p class="bodytext">These verses highlight the perfect New Year message - one that would bring true fulfilment and joy in the year ahead.</p>.<p class="bodytext">I resolved to surrender my plans to God, trusting that His plans are far superior, more lasting, and far beyond anything I could imagine <br />for myself.</p>.<p class="bodytext">So, as we step into this new year, let us entrust each day to the Lord, seeking His guidance, rather than insisting on our own way.</p>
<p class="bodytext">Amidst the flood of New Year greetings and messages I received on WhatsApp as the year began, one post, from a friend who is also a priest, resonated with me for its insight. It read, “May we fulfil God’s plans and purpose for our lives more faithfully and fruitfully this year!”</p>.<p class="bodytext">This simple yet profound message made me reflect, offering me a meaningful starting point for the year ahead. I found myself contemplating two key ideas: “plans and purpose” and “faithfully and fruitfully.” <br />What unfolded touched and enlightened me. </p>.<p class="bodytext">We all make plans—both grand and small—for ourselves and our loved ones.</p>.<p class="bodytext">We plan for our finances, careers, holidays, and relationships. We invest time and thought, pouring purpose into these plans. Yet, despite our best efforts, many of our plans tend to fail. </p>.<p class="bodytext">At such times, we feel disappointed, often blaming God and others for our failures. But if we pause and examine why our plans fail, the truth that we have overlooked God’s plans for us becomes evident. We have tried to fit our own plans into our lives, disregarding the fact that God has a greater purpose in mind.</p>.<p class="bodytext">This fact is well exemplified all through the Bible. Isaiah 55:8-9 reads: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways - saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”</p>.<p class="bodytext">Similarly, Jeremiah 29:11 reads: “For I know the plans I have for you - declares the Lord; plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” And again, Romans 8:28 reads, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”</p>.<p class="bodytext">These verses highlight the perfect New Year message - one that would bring true fulfilment and joy in the year ahead.</p>.<p class="bodytext">I resolved to surrender my plans to God, trusting that His plans are far superior, more lasting, and far beyond anything I could imagine <br />for myself.</p>.<p class="bodytext">So, as we step into this new year, let us entrust each day to the Lord, seeking His guidance, rather than insisting on our own way.</p>
