3 Steps to Kicking Your New Year Off Right

I personally do not make New Year’s resolutions.  I used to but I never used to stick with them, so I decided to give them up.  I understand why people do, however.  It is the beginning of a new year, so it is a chance for a fresh start.  That is how I see every season, though, an opportunity for new goals and to revisit old ones, so rather than make resolutions at the beginning of the year, I set and readjust goals throughout the year.  

The end of the year is the perfect time to evaluate how things have gone and to consider the types of goals you may want to set for the new year.  Below are some areas to consider:

1 – Love God

“Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears My teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.”

– Jesus (Matthew 7:24-26 NLT)

Read the whole Bible this year.  The only way to listen to Jesus and follow His teaching is to read what He says in the Bible.  I recommend Our Daily Bread’s plan which assigns one section from the Old Testament and one section from the New Testament.  This is very helpful because the Old Testament is difficult to read in parts, so it is reassuring to be able to switch over to the New Testament and be reminded of Jesus’ great love for us.

Watch the movie War Room and then create your own.  Just like people, God wants our undivided attention, and He deserves it.  After you design your prayer closet, spend time with God in it, regularly.

Start a prayer journal.  How about when you go about creating a vision board, you pray about what to include and write it in your prayer journal?  Then watch what God does and write that, too!  Does He help your vision come to pass, or does He give you a new one…? 🤔😁

Attend service regularly.  With COVID-19 restrictions, there are so many services online and at various times, including Wednesday Bible studies.  Choose a service to attend and do so, regularly.

2 – Love Others

Pray for them.  Jesus is our example for this as He prayed for those who crucified Him even while He was on the cross.  If He can do that, we certainly can also ask for the forgiveness of our enemies.

As for your neighbors, maybe you are not in a position to give financially, but how about give your time?  Do you have neighbors or friends who may be isolated or who may suffer anxiety?  Check in on them.  Offer to run errands for them, such as picking up items that you can leave on their doorstep.  If you are good with animals, arrange to take care of the pets of those who are sick with covid-19. 

Make use of your skills.  Are you gifted in a particular subject?  Tutor students who have to attend school virtually by helping them with their homework online.  Do you know how to sew?  Make masks to donate.  For more information on these or other suggestions, visit Help Guide.

Check out Nextdoor to be put in touch with those who can use your help in your area.

See Related: Ways to Bless Your Community

Love Yourself

It also involves thinking right thoughts about ourselves, keeping clear of sin, spending time with other believers, forgiving yourself for past mistakes, and so on.

Do you notice that this goes right back to reading the Bible? We cannot think right thoughts about ourselves if we do not know what God says about us. Instead, we will be prone to believe what the world says and fall prey to fear instead of standing strong in faith. So when you are setting goals for the new year, remember to include thinking of yourself in the same way God does and then act, accordingly.

Which areas above do you think you will incorporate into your goals for the new year? Please let me know in the comments.

Until next time,

Happy New Year!

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