Isaiah 30:19
“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,” This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or turn to the left.”
Romans 8:14
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”
Everyone tries to commit to a New Year’s resolution during this time of year. As Christians, resolve should be a way of life, but I understand the sentiment and the universal tradition. It’s a new year, meaning new beginnings, a reset button. A restart to do better and be better in some areas of life than the previous year. I get it. But, we should take a step further.
If we are serious about improving, we should know how to stick to a resolution beyond the New Year. It’s more than verbal statements.
The key and ONLY way to stick to any change is pretty straightforward.
L I S T E N I N G T O G O D = O B E D I E N C E = G O D L Y C H O I C E S = C H A N G E.
Listening to God will 100% transform your choices, which will change your life! Those little choices no one sees or hears about will determine who you are. When no one else is watching, God is.
Run with these steps:
- When you don’t want to be obedient – do it anyway. This is what makes obedience obedience. In the garden, Jesus asked that the cup of death on the cross be taken from Him, but then He said not my will, but your will be done. That is the height of obedience. Accepting that, though it might be hard, I trust you, God, and know that you know best. I yield to your will and way. That’s faithful obedience.
- Just be yourself. We’re all on a journey and are presently and will forever be in different stages and phases of the journey. If you aren’t, that means you aren’t growing. Trying to be anything you aren’t right now only delays the journey. Why not lean into it, accept your imperfections as you mature, and walk in who God is shaping you to be?
- Set goals for your personal life. Some people embrace this method for weight loss. But what if you intentionally set goals to choose joy each day? That might look like strengthening your mindset and perspective. To see the sun beyond the clouds can be difficult. That means looking for the good regardless of what circumstances are around you. What’s inside of you can only be affected by what’s outside when you allow it to come in. This is the time to disinvite those negative thoughts and lack of discipline.
- Challenge YOUrself. The best way to grow is to do what you fear the most. Suppose it’s insecurity about starting a new business. Start a business or, at the very least, do research. There are a lot of free resources and information to get you started in the right direction. If it’s apprehension about starting or ending a relationship, do what it takes to get the courage to move on. You might even need to talk to a professional about how to do that and keep peace within yourself. You should train yourself to tackle whatever makes you uncomfortable—no more hiding, whining, or complaining. You have to take part in your growth and development.
- Take steps…baby steps if necessary. The fastest way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. Sometimes, the grossest analogies are the most potent because we all know the size of an elephant. It’s a huge animal, and that is how our change may be. However, the sooner one realizes it is a process, the easier it will be.
So, you won’t need to say it, just be. One choice at a time. One obedient choice at a time. That’s where change starts to be seen, and you’ll progressively become who God designed you to be.
So, Merry CHRISTmas and a Safe and Intentional New Year from No Limit Living.
Here’s to making better choices in 2024 and beyond!
