Starting Fresh with God: Building a Reflective Habit for a Christ-Centered New Year
In my many years of teaching, mentoring, and guiding others in spiritual direction, I have heard sentiments such as “I don’t feel close to God” or “My faith feels dry.” Although these experiences are common, they don’t have to be the norm. I have found, for myself and for others, that practicing reflection is one of the greatest ways to increase our awareness of God’s presence and is an easy path to a vibrant and thriving faith.
With the start of a new year, we have a unique opportunity to pause, reflect, and realign our lives with God’s purpose. While many focus on resolutions and plans for the future, as Christians, we are invited to something deeper: intentional reflection. Reflection helps us notice God’s presence, recognize His faithfulness, and let His truth guide our steps. In this post, we’ll explore why reflection is essential for our spiritual growth and how to build a habit of reflection to strengthen your walk with Christ.
Reflection is a powerful tool for deepening your relationship with God. When we pause and look back, we create space to notice His movement in our lives. Whether through blessings, challenges, or lessons learned, reflection reveals God’s constant presence and provision. It’s also an opportunity to cultivate gratitude and align our hearts with His will for the future.
The Bible frequently highlights the importance of reflection. Psalm 77:11-12 reminds us, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” By remembering God’s faithfulness, we strengthen our trust in Him and gain clarity for the road ahead.
In addition, reflection helps us slow down and notice where God has been at work in our lives. The pace of daily life often causes us to overlook the countless ways He’s guiding, protecting, and providing for us. Yet, when we intentionally look back, we begin to see His hand in both the joys and the struggles.
The act of remembering God’s faithfulness fuels our faith and hope. Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” By reflecting on how God has worked in our past, we gain confidence that He will continue to lead us in the future. Reflection transforms our perspective, shifting our focus from fear or uncertainty to trust and peace.
When we prioritize reflection, we experience the joy and peace of walking more closely with God. Reflection helps us notice His presence, remember His faithfulness, and confidently embrace His plans for our lives. As you enter the new year, consider making reflection a habit. Through it, you’ll deepen your trust in God and find clarity, gratitude, and renewal in His unchanging love.
Below are some ways to incorporate reflection into your life:
At the end of the day, stop and consider where God may have shown up in your day. Did he help you overcome a difficult situation? Did you get to enjoy nature, time with a friend, an encouraging book, or a podcast? Each night, simply write down any movement you noticed from God.
Purchase a guided journal with prompts. My favorite is the Next Right Thing Guided Journal by Emily P. Freeman. I take 5-10 minutes to fill this out, once a week.
Partner with a friend and commit to sharing with each other how you see God working in your lives.
Meet with a spiritual director to help you build the spiritual discipline of reflecting into your life.
Reflection is not just a spiritual discipline- it is a powerful way to grow closer to God and live a life filled with peace, purpose, and growth.