New Year, New Creation
There is something so magical and enticing about New Year’s Eve.
The way it sparkles and lights the way for new promises, dreams, and plans.
This fresh start is anticipated by nearly everyone across our vast world and is always something we look forward to as we cross the finish line of the previous year exhausted and maybe a little bruised.
And so, we ponder how we will better ourselves by making New Year’s Resolutions.
But what does that really mean?
What Are New Year’s Resolutions?
New Year’s Resolutions are the choices we make to stop doing something. They also list the new things we want to accomplish in the upcoming year.
Resolutions can include losing weight, journaling consistently, taking up a new hobby, and even making the resolve to call your best friend after dinner every Sunday.
And while these things are good for you and your overall health, they can set us up for failure.
On average, only 9% of people actually keep their resolutions throughout the year. So why don’t resolutions keep?
While we mean well in pursuing our holistic well-being, we also are humans.
Maybe we resolve to change too many things. Or perhaps we forget about them after a month of being consistent.
And like many, it may be possible that after a few times of not doing what you promised, you give up because you feel like you have failed.
But there is good news.
God does not require us to succeed in our own strength. In fact, He longs for us to be intentional with Him and the days He has given us on this earth. All it takes is a mindset shift.
Making Intentions With God
Intentions, while similar to resolutions, are slightly different.
Whereas resolutions are defined actions that bring about change, intentions are internal and have everything to do with your heart, mind, and spirit. And on a deeper level, they create improvements in relationships with God, others, and even yourself.
Intentions not only allow direction in your life, but they leave room for the mercy and grace of Jesus to cover the mistakes and forgetfulness that we hold as human beings.
When we create space for New Year’s intentions, we allow God to fill the cracks and lead in ways that are healing and whole.
How to Grow Closer With God in Our Intentions
You may be wondering how to set intentions that will flourish your relationship with God.
Can I suggest that it may be easier than you realize and may even be things you are doing already?
Get Up Early
Getting up early to spend our initial quiet moments with God allows us to surrender the first fruits of our day. Then, as we pray, meditate on His word, and create space to hear His voice, we invite Him to equip us for the day ahead.
Read Your Bible Every Day
Being intentional about reading God’s Word helps you to learn not only Who God is but also who you are in Christ. As you make space to connect to the Lord through the scriptures, He promises to teach, train, convict, and encourage you. Talk about eternal self-improvement!
Record Your Gratitude
Gratitude is a great tool to hone your perspective. We live in a broken, fallen world, and sometimes the circumstances before us seem too big to carry. Being intentional in gratitude each day lifts our eyes from what’s in front of us and returns them to the gaze of a loving and kind Father who provides in things seen and unseen.
Grace For Your Intentions
The beauty of making intentions in Christ versus resolutions by worldly standards is that the pressure is off.
God’s Word doesn’t say, “His mercies are new every first day of the year.” Instead, it proclaims that His mercies are new every morning! And you are the recipient of His greatest mercies.
2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Beloved, you are a new creation in Christ.
You are no longer what your sin says you are. You are not your past reputation. You are not labeled by all of the resolutions you didn’t keep. You are a keeper of Christ’s promise. So be encouraged; you don’t need a specific date to better yourself or your situation. You have the Holy Spirit dwelling within you, whose love empowers you and considers you new and restored in the Kingdom of heaven.
I am grateful for you and your willingness to share your skills and gifts. Sending you blessings for the many blessings you have provided to us to pass on.
Thank you, Janice! Blessings to you as well!