Saying morning prayer this morning via sunrise as our power was out, I was struck by the familiar words of the 2nd Song of Isaiah:

Isaiah 55:6-11

Seek the Lord while he wills to be found; *
call upon him when he draws near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways *
and the evil ones their thoughts;
And let them turn to the Lord, and he will have compassion, *
and to our God, for he will richly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, *
nor your ways my ways, says 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.
For as rain and snow fall from the heavens *
and return not again, but water the earth,
Bringing forth life and giving growth, *
seed for sowing and bread for eating,
So is my word that goes forth from my mouth; *
it will not return to me empty;
But it will accomplish that which I have purposed, *
and prosper in that for which I sent it.

I guess I am still on the “New Year” theme, but this reminder that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts nor God’s ways our ways helps, I think, to ground us in this new year, reminding us we are not God, despite our every attempt to be so, and neither is anyone else, despite their attempts to convince us otherwise. We can be co-creators with God by being open to how God can use us to “accomplish that which I have purposed”. But we constantly need to check ourselves – is this for God’s purposes or for our own selfish needs?

How will you allow God to be God in your life this year? How can this Biblical reminder impact how you live and how you pray?