As I debated writing a post with a clear “New Year” focus, I found myself not wanting to be so traditional, or even predictable. Sometimes those themes become a bit trite, or even self-focused if we’re writing about the importance of resolutions for the new year, and all the “correct” ways we’ve been taught to make them.
I’m sure you’ve seen that advice through the years. Goals (resolutions) should be:
- Realistic
- Attainable
- Measurable
- Positive
- Relevant
- And many more you’ll find in articles across cyberspace!
Feel free to do your own Google search if that’s what you’re seeking, because this post will not talk you through that process. Just setting expectations right up front.
So with the determination of avoiding a resolution-based blog post, I waited to see what God might have me share with you in place of that. It wasn’t long before this scripture text landed in one of my devotionals, and ultimately in my thought process.
“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8 (NKJV)
This powerful verse is nestled amongst some other important themes from James.
- Understanding why we fight and quarrel
- How to rightly ask God for what we want
- Avoiding worldly friendship
- Submitting to God
- Resisting the devil
- Purifying out hearts
- Grieving (interesting …)
- Turning mourning into laughter
- Humbling ourselves
Not a bad list, is it? I share that so you can see the context of verse eight. There’s a lot packed into these first ten verses of James 4. Do you see the overall theme of our struggle with the things of this world?
Absent a seminary or theology degree, it seems to me that so much of what James is either cautioning us against, or encouraging us toward, can very simply be answered by verse eight. “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.”
And then it hit me. This IS a post about setting goals for the new year! Did God “trick” me into this! Oh no, this is exactly what he wanted me to write about.
What he laid on my heart is that, at the very core to the success of any goal you might set (assuming within God’s will), is this verse.
Take your focus off the things of this world and place it squarely on drawing nearer to God. “But, Lynne, I don’t have enough time in my day already! How will I add more to my schedule?”
The verse doesn’t tell you to spend more time with God, although that’s never a bad thing. It says to draw near to God. What is the quality of your time with him? Do you do devotions and prayer time on auto-pilot? I’m guilty of that. Might you be more intentional in the depth of your conversations with God, or your study of his word? I know I could.
So bringing this full circle to our 2024 goals, let’s look at some of the most “popular” resolutions that make it onto our lists year after year.
- Improved fitness
- Lose weight
- Diet change
- Improved mental health
- Spend more time with family and friends
- Reduce stress
- Get organized
- Professional/career goals
- Learn a new skill or hobby
As a Christian, you may have added resolutions dealing with the spiritual or relational side of your world. Maybe there’s a relationship or two that needs some TLC.
As I looked through these lists, I couldn’t help but land on the truth that spending quality time with God (drawing near) could only help us in the areas represented in that list.
Quality time spent drawing near to God can help is in so many ways.
- It can give us a biblical, eternal perspective on any of the troubles we’re facing. Troubles we will need help addressing.
- It will give us the peace and joy we need, and biblical support for, so many areas of mental health.
- It can give us divine love to help us navigate difficult relationships.
- It can give us wisdom unlike any the world can offer.
- And as you look at that list, or those of your own, couldn’t we all use a hefty dose of self-control? Just so happens, it’s the last of the nine fruits of the Spirit.
So, my simple advice to you (and to myself this year) is to, first and foremost, talk to God about those areas in your life that HE wants to see you address or change. Let HIM help you put together the list of resolutions for 2024. No one knows us better than God, or knows better where we most need improvement.
Then ask him to give you the strength and perseverance and yes, self-control, to achieve all that he wants for you in the new year.
May your 2024 be blessed in countless and surprising ways!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.
The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17
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