I had a lot of plans for 2020 that didn’t materialize. I had travel plans I had to cancel. Thanks, Covid. I was committed to going to the gym five times a week. I now haven’t been in 9 months. Thanks again, Covid. Even my productivity plans faltered, thanks to a truly bizarre year that upended just about everyone’s personal and professional lives.

So, this year, I’m planning a little more cautiously. I’m placing a mental asterisk beside each goal, not being sure what 2021 will bring. It’s a good lesson, actually. In James we’re warned about announcing plans for tomorrow and reminded, “you do not even know what will happen tomorrow” (James 4:14). Last year demonstrated just how true that can be. Yet I’m still convinced it is wise to plan, just as long as we hold our plans with open hands, mindful that they’re all subject to God’s providence.

To help you plan for the New Year, I first recommend taking a look back. Check out CT’s Top 20 Stories from 2020. Yes, a lot of them were stories about hard things, but there were hopeful ones, too. And then, I advise reading our Strategic Planning collection. Featuring wisdom from respected leaders, these downloadable resources will help you understand why and how to plan for the coming year.