Today I follow up on my December 26, 2021, blog. Day 2 of 2022, the first Sunday of the year, the question is still valid, relevant. “How can we begin the New Year well?” I have in mind something more than making better resolutions and developing greater resolve. In my own life I have found a powerful tool that continues when the resolutions are broken and forgotten — spiritual power for spiritual living throughout the year. I set goals rather than resolutions!
Before sharing three principles–a daily checklist–for living well in the New Year, let me briefly say something about goals vs. resolutions. I set goals and work toward them throughout the year. The problem with resolutions is that they tend to be all or nothing, yes or no. The first time we fail, once we stumble, once we fall short, the resolution is broken. We have failed. When I set a goal, I may advance rapidly some days, and slowly other days, but the reckoning point comes when the year ends! Did I live my life well? Did I stretch toward the goal?
One more practice that I find helpful — choose a word for the year. You get to pick your own word. You do not have to use the word I will suggest. Choose a word that you like, a word that speaks to you, a word of anticipation, hope, and possibilities. What words would you consider? I can think of many possibilities. I generally use a different word each year. For 2022, I am choosing the word “confidence.” In Hebrews 11, confidence and conviction are combined to describe my faith in the One who walks beside me. I will move forward into 2022 with faith and fidelity, with confidence. You are welcome to use my word, but I encourage you, right now, to choose a word, whatever word you wish. How can you bring to reality in 2022 the word you have chosen? Each day guided by your word. Awaking and resting–this is your word. This is how you will move toward God’s goals, God’s purpose, in your life?
Here’s my daily checklist for 2022. Daily, or at least weekly, these are my commitments. Pick a time, set it aside, ask yourself the questions. Evaluate your progress toward the goal.
Commit to RENEWAL. Recognize that renewal is an ongoing process. Renewal is not once and done, never to be repeated. Paul wrote that the inner man is continually renewed day by day, even when the physical body is deteriorating and aging. Remind yourself regularly that you are committed to the constantly renewed life.
Continually REBALANCE life. Life is a series of choices. Today’s choices are not the same as yesterday’s choices. We progress, and we regress. (That’s why goals are so much better than resolutions!) We face new challenges. New opportunities come. Our lives cannot focus on everything at once. We cannot do it all. We have to decide what is important. The best life is the focused life. I have to lay aside some things in order to focus on the better things. Paul prayed for the Philippians, that they would be able to choose what is best! One purpose of rebalancing life regularly is to stay focused on what is best.
RELY on God. The essence of faith, confidence and conviction, is that the power for Christian living is not of us, but of God. This is my prayer, God’s daily presence. God is God. Know who He is. God is at work. Observe what he does. Let God be God.