I don’t know about anyone else but I feel like this year has kicked my butt a little bit and I’m in need of a hard reset. Yes the pandemic and the lockdowns were hard, no disputing that, but for me personally, juggling two jobs, a toddler and general life has taken quite a lot to get used to. Plus getting back to socialising; getting back on the bandwagon of going out and making sure to keep in touch with people, not just digitally but also in real life. Come the summer holidays and the sun is out, local events have been popping, holidays have been happening, and now at the end of summer I am all out of whack. Yes holidays are aa privilege, heck even having a job is at the moment, but lets face it holidays with toddlers have a totally different meaning to them….

I’m staring at a hundred and something days until Christmas and I didn’t even do all the things I wanted to do over the summer. I can’t remember the last time I picked up my Bible. I can’t remember the last time I really sat and listened to worship music. When was the last time I had an uninterrupted work day, where I am fully focused and locked in on my to do list? So many things I haven’t done, and yet I have been running on that hamster wheel, getting nowhere it feels. And now I have to get excited for festivities which have their own demands and pressures?

So I’m staring at the date thinking, how do I kick start my 2023? September has always been a second start to the year for me, and so many others. But for me this year, that is not me. I need a hard reset…

However, yesterday at church we looked at Psalm 77. The cry to God here is desperate. He is in a dire situation and feels God is nowhere to be found. Yet, after feeling all his feels and asking all his questions – human nature is such a funny thing – he gets himself out of his funk by reminding himself of God’s faithfulness. Simply by singing/listening to worship songs, but also by drawing nearer to Him and His Word.

“Then I remembered the worship songs I used to sing

in the night seasons,

and my heart began to fill again with thoughts of you.

So my spirit went out once more in search of you.”

Psalm 77:6 (TPT)

I feel like whenever we are out of sorts, for whatever reason, the main way out is through Him. So this September, rather than hitting it hard after having a refreshing summer, its about getting back to basics. Carving out that time to connect with Him and myself. Let’s face it, the hamster wheel will always been there, as will He. However which one sustains and fulfils? Which drains and makes us a slave to worldly things?

From here we are reminded what God initially put in our heart at the beginning of the year and how close to ticking through those things you are….or how far we have strayed. If like me, it is the latter, do not fret. Just do as I intend – go back to basics. Draw closer to Him, He will get you back to centre and back on the right path…

Here’s to the rest of 2023!