The new year is the perfect time to set new goals and just go for it. Everywhere you turn, people are talking about resolutions and goals. From the nightly news to social media feeds, it’s what we’re thinking about, what we’re talking about. But what we’re not talking about is what happens when our goals and plans get derailed. Because as much as we plan for success, we have to prepare for obstacles along the way.

Several months ago, I came across two words that have continued to resonate in my mind when it comes to inevitable interruptions to my plans and productivity.

Humble receptivity.

You see, when God allows interruptions to come my way, my natural bent is to respond with clenched teeth– just to push through. But, I’ve come to recognize that my natural response is rooted in pride as I value my agenda and goals over what God has for me.

As I face 2020 with expectancy, I also want to meet it with humble receptivity–embracing God’s agenda above my own and allowing Him to give me a divine perspective I can’t enjoy without humility.

So, as you plan for all 2020 might hold, take time to acknowledge God’s position as the sovereign lover of your soul. He wants good for you. Trust what you see as an interruption is God’s divine invitation to show you what His overwhelming love can do. Receive His interruption and enjoy a spirit-filled perspective as God’s directs your path.

In God you come up against something which is in every respect immeasurably superior to yourself. Unless you know God as that—and, therefore, know yourself as nothing in comparison—you do not know God at all. As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.

C.S. Lewis (1898-1963)