There’s something that we all need before we can rebuild and set the stage. It’s something that we all need, and we can’t start without it. Before we run full steam ahead toward building, we have to take a beat. That thing we need is reflection. Reflection is the first step in starting over and building the greater normal, the latter and the better temple; it is reflection. Here’s why: if we don’t stop to reflect before we build, we run the risk of rebuilding what we built in the past, which is now lesser. You have to understand that we have more history with what was than we do with what is coming. You’ve got to catch that. Our rhythm, already established, must be reestablished when God is doing a new thing. I know we’re excited! Oh, it’s a new year, and oh, 2021 is all new! But let me tell you something: you aren’t wired for new yet; you’re still wired for the former. Until you and I stop and have a serious season of reflection, we run the danger of going back—because of rhythm—to building the lesser. Are you tracking with me? Put it right there; put it in the comments: «I’m tracking with you!» Yeah, we have more history. Before we move forward, we must first seek to figure out what was unprofitable about the old season or what needs to improve. We need reflection! Put it in the feed right there: «I need reflection!» I need reflection because reflection is the doorway to perspective, and perspective going forward is a must-have. Perspective is a non-negotiable, and the only way that you and I can achieve a clear perspective is through reflection. I want to give you your own personal reflection exercise that I want you to employ between now and next week when we’re together as we continue in this series. These are eight reflection questions that you need to ask yourself. Are you ready? Have you got your pen? Write these questions down: What did I learn? What did I learn in the last season? Sometimes we are constantly learning but never applying what we’ve learned. I feel that that’s the difference between wisdom and understanding. Wisdom is learning; understanding is applying what you learn so that you can experience the fruit of what the last season taught you. What did I learn? That’s the first question for your reflection exercise. The second thing is: what did I gain? Hallelujah! Let me tell you something: as much loss as there was in 2020, baby, we gained some things. We gained endurance, we gained faith, we gained perspective. We learned some things in 2020. We didn’t come out of 2020 empty! Sometimes what you gain is intangible, but you and I need to determine what we are bringing into 2021 that we did not have in 2020. I’m telling you we are better now, even though we’ve been broken by so many things. What did I gain? What did I learn first? What did I gain? What did I lose? Let’s be real: what did I lose? Really unpack what you lost because one of the things that I’m learning is that, watch this, some things I lost so that I could gain. I wish you would check that! What I’ve learned about life is that we only have a certain number of spots for things in our lives, and sometimes when God wants to bring you better, He removes the lesser. We’re like, «Oh my God, I’m going to die! I didn’t know I could make it without this!» I didn’t know I could—I got another next year. You know, God upgrades you! Sometimes God has to cause you to lose in order to win. Are you tracking with me? What did I learn? What did I gain? What did I lose? Here’s an interesting one: what did I love, and did it love me back? Now we’re going to dig in and really begin to reflect. What did I set my heart upon, and was it a worthy investment? We’re going deep. What did I learn? What did I gain? What did I lose? What did I love, and did it love me back? Watch this: here’s another one, and this is important. Where did I find value, and was it healthy? Where did I find value? Where did my value come from? Did it come from likes or comments, views or followers, or attention from those attracted to you? Where? Come on! We’re going to dig deep. Where did I find value? And, let’s be real, when did I feel alive, and was it healthy or was it not healthy? What did I learn? What did I gain? What did I lose? What did I love, and did it love me back? Where did I find value, and was it healthy? Watch this: what were my priorities, and were they profitable? Uh-huh, I didn’t come to play because we’re going to get this thing right! Yeah, these are the questions I’m learning. This reflection involves more than just a second; I’m learning that reflection has to do with the hard questions that you’re willing to ask yourself. What were my priorities, and were they profitable? What did I put first? Did I put others first, or did I put me first? What did I give the majority of my time and my attention to? Did it profit me, or did it simply distract me and confuse me? We’ve got to answer these questions: What did I learn? What did I gain? What did I lose? What did I love, and did it love me back? Where did I find value? Was it healthy?
