I’ve never been real big on New Year’s resolutions. I believe we should strive to be our best selves all year round. But January 1st of every year does feel like a “new beginning”, or chance at a fresh start. An opportunity to set some goals, or renew commitments we made, and perhaps have fallen behind on. If you are setting some goals for yourself, or trying to create new habits in 2022, here are a few great ones from scripture I challenge you to add to the list:
Pray more, worry less.
Perhaps that sounds a little cliché, but it really is a great, Biblical principle to live by. We should all spend more time talking to God, hearing from him through his word, and looking to him, versus looking to this world, and listening to the voices of evil all around us every day.
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
Psalm 5:3
You know what else sounds cliché? Someone telling you to get up early to study and pray first thing every day. Maybe this rubs some people the wrong way, but I have always been taught that you make time for what you want to make time for. Excuses are a dime a dozen. I know, I had them all! I finally had to determine and set a plan in my life a year ago to prioritize my day around having “God’s time” first thing in the morning. Was it hard? It still is. But do I hate waking up early? Not now. I enjoy the quiet, dark, still moments when the house is dimly lit, savoring the peace before the busy day gets started. It was tough falling into a good routine at first, but I love my routine now. Challenge yourself. Prove all the excuses wrong! Make this verse in Psalm 5:3 your commitment to God and first new habit in 2022!
Spend more time with family.
No matter how long we live on this earth, it never feels like long enough when it comes to saying goodbye to a loved one. We can never get back the days that are gone. Nor can we go back and change anything in the past. Forgive. Get rid of the bitterness. Even if they never acknowledge or ask for forgiveness. Every day we have with our family is a gift. An opportunity. Parents don’t live forever. Grandparents are a blessing, and can be a well of knowledge and wisdom. Tap into that, and enjoy them while you have them.
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Ephesians 5:15-16
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
James 4:14
Make time for family. “But my family is lost. We don’t have anything in common, and we never enjoy spending time with them”, you say? Well, maybe they need your example and fervent prayer and testimony to show them true salvation. You might be the only Bible they read. Are you showing them the love of Christ like you show it to your Church family? (I am convicted about this myself as I write this. Trust me, I get it. It’s not always easy, especially where family is concerned!) By the way, if their sinful lifestyle is a barrier that keeps you from spending time together, why not plan a dinner at your house? You will be able to better control the environment and the way the time is spent that way.
Get more involved at Church!
If you are wondering where you would ever find/make time to hold a ministry at your Church, consider this:
Why are you so busy? Are you over-scheduled? Is your busy-ness by choice, or just an unfortunate byproduct of the new highly connected norm of our society? On average I have about 4 hours of active screen time PER DAY on my cell phone! This is not phone calls, but JUST the time spent on social media, the internet, shopping apps, etc. Could I be doing something better – perhaps even RESTING – with those 4 hours per day? When we get busy in Church serving God, we find a different kind of busy. When we teach people, for example, we are busy feeding souls. Not only theirs, but ours in the process. When we sing in the choir, we are busy glorifying and praising our God, while also touching someone’s heart with our music.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
2 Corinthians 5:10
Here is another thing to consider. When you are involved in Church – attending three times a week, plus practice for choir, or special singing group, etc. When you have to set aside time to study and get ready for a lesson for teaching a Sunday School class, and when you are counted on to keep nursery once a month, it makes you accountable. Accountable first to God. You promised him, in accepting these ministries, that you would be faithful. It also makes you accountable to your Church family. They rely on you being in your place, and your ministry being performed each time. If this isn’t enough to make you want to “stay clean”, and avoid sin I don’t know what is!
Only One Life
By C.T. Studd
Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice,
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, ”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
