As we begin a new year, we walk towards the unknown days ahead with hopefulness filled with dreams and desires for the future. When the calendar begins anew, we resolve to set goals from finishing that lingering creative project, to starting a new career or professional venture, or beginning a healthy lifestyle. We decide to go full speed ahead towards that goal that lingers in the distance. We plan with excitement, talk with gusto about what’s ahead, and decide with determination that “this year” is “the year” that “it will happen.” Why do resolutions greet us like a long lost friend as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve? We are creatures of habit; and it is out of that same habit, that we once again find ourselves making resolutions for the year ahead.
From that same nature of living out of habit, however, those goals for the new year never come to completion. It is our habits that hold us back; and as the days move into weeks and pass into months, those resolutions and vivid plans for the new year slowly fade away and never happen.
That habit to stay up “just a little later” to scroll though social media feeds to see unrealistic pictures of “perfect lives” of those around us makes it too difficult to wake up earlier to have that much-needed quiet time before beginning a busy day.
That habit to please everyone else, constantly saying yes and being the can-do person, makes us feel tired and unappreciated and leaves us drained; and we give those we love the leftover emotions and energy at the end of the day.
That habit of letting the fear of failure and opinion of others holds us back from starting that new career or creative venture that we always wished we had.
That habit of thinking that we have this thing of life all figured out and under control makes us miss the beauty of seeking God humbly, and believing in faith, that He will take us to the best places for our lives here on this earth.
We want to help begin the motion to make things happen, to begin that change or solidify those plans. For those plans and purposes for a new year to come to fruition, embrace a new habit of renewing your thoughts. Change the pattern of your thoughts and shift your focus from what you want to do - and center your focus on what God can do.
Over a course of a year, life is an ebb and flow of challenges and blessings. We need the friction created by challenges and polishing made by the beauty of life’s blessings to sharpen us to become a person of substance, grounded in humility and gratefulness.
Whether you recognize it or not, God knows your deepest desires and your hope for this life on earth. The Bible says that our hearts are like a stream of water in the LORD’s hands and He guides it wherever He pleases. (Proverbs 21:1) Think of the effervescent motion of a river as it is channeled by the bends in the land and propelled by the ultimate source of water.
As you look towards a new year, renew your mind with the truth that God will guide you - like the unending motion of a flowing stream - to places of peace with direction to overcome challenges that hold you back, and fulfillment with deep joy to recognize and appreciate the blessings He has given you.
Resolve to renew your mind that God can help you accomplish those goals, seek encouragement and prayers from those you love to help you overcome those habits that hold you back; and run this race of life towards a new year with perseverance to greet the promise of endless possibilities for beautiful plans that God has tailored just for you and those you love. ~
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