The beginning of a new year almost feels like a reset and that’s exciting. Naturally, you want to make a resolution…or 3 or 10. So, you begin to think of all of the things you want to do differently this year and new things you want to try or maybe even just progress in from last year.
Your list is off to a great start.
Exercise more. Eat healthier. Spend more time with family. Read more books. Take more vacations. Get outdoors more. Make new friends. Volunteer in your community. Join or start a small group at church. Be more present in the every day moments.
All of these are good, actually, some of them are even needed and could be beneficial.
The new year brings a sense of “starting fresh”, and, if I’m being honest, sometimes we feel like we need that. A season can be difficult and the new year can sometimes make it feel like it’s coming to an end and you can leave it all behind you and just move forward. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that or having resolutions. We should set goals and strive towards achieving them- doing this brings growth and sometimes even success (Proverbs 10:4).
Here’s the thing, though. I’m just wondering how much better we would feel at the end of the year if our list looked a little more like:
I want to be surrendered to His will and let go of my own because I know His ways are better (Isaiah 55:9).
I want to be more grateful for all of the blessings (big and small) He has poured out into my life and for all of the provisions (big and small) He makes for me on a daily basis (Psalm 100:4).
I want to be interruptible by God’s plan for my day(s) and not get so caught up in the things that I’m doing and get so busy that I miss an opportunity to be a witness and Kingdom builder for Him (Proverbs 19:21).
I want to be obedient to what God says- go where He says to go, do what He says to do and speak what He says to speak. I want to do less on my own accord and more of what He wants (Psalm 37:23).
I desire to have a deeper and stronger connection to the vine, because I know that without being connected to my Creator, I am spiritually dead and do not produce fruit (John 15:5).
I want to reflect His image and have a servants heart (Mark 10:5) and produce His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23).
I’m just wondering how much better our lives would look in a year’s time if we spent more time committed to dying to ourselves rather than how we can please our flesh? Chasing what makes us feel good only lasts for a [short] season but continually walking in His purpose will bring a sense of fulfillment that will last a lifetime.
Perhaps we would experience joy and peace instead of anxiety and depression. Perhaps we would begin to love our neighbors and live in unity. Perhaps we could know true love, His love, and share it with others so they can see Jesus through us (John 13:35).
I’m just wondering, what if we truly begin to seek first His kingdom (Matthew 6:33) how refreshed would we feel at the end of the year instead of feeling like we need a restart at the beginning of the new one to come?
Listen, I’m right there with you. I’ve been in the “last year was tough” boat, poking holes in with all of my grumbling and kicking and screaming while it sank. Total transparency: I was literally just telling someone “actually the past 18-24 months have been rough”, and then rattled off my laundry list of reasons why.
Y’all, perspective is everything, and, let me be honest with you again, my perspective has not always aligned with Christ.
I spent a lot of time focusing on the negative and all that was going wrong, all of the things that hurt me, all of the confusion and anger.
And here’s a hard pill to swallow: by doing this, I was giving the enemy the spotlight and magnifying his name over our Savior’s name. We are called to glorify God and lift up a hallelujah, even in the most difficult seasons we walk through (Hebrews 13:15-16). I was falling short in this area… and, I hate to give you some tough love, but, if you’re moaning and groaning about all that’s gone wrong, you are doing the same thing I was. I know, I know, that sounds harsh, and I don’t mean it to be, I’m just trying to help shift your perspective, because, trust me, I needed to shift mine, too. I’m not just coming for you- God got onto me first (Proverbs 3:12).
So, my new year resolution is to have a different perspective, a different heart posture and to let the second list become first and to just simply add in all the other things in along the way and not to let them become my top priority.
I’m looking forward to seeing what a difference I feel at the end of this year and how much healthier I am (in all facets of the word) by seeking Him first.
My prayer is that you choose to do the same and we’re all healthier because of it.