3 New Year's Resolutions You Can Make This Year
A phrase that I tell my students who struggled through the previous year is: “New Year, New You”. The new year is an exciting time because it embarks upon a new chance for opportunity. Focusing on sticking to the budget, eating healthy and going to the gym are common resolutions, but reality in these well-intentioned goals are often not executed well.
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” - 1 Timothy 4:8
As a Christian, here are three resolutions we can make this year:
1. Read Your Bible. Open your Bible and start somewhere; it can be in Genesis or pick a specific book to not only read, but to study. When I first became a Christian, I started with a couple of devotionals, then worked my way through studying specific books of the Bible. A few of my favorite books of the Bible are: Ruth, 1 John, Job, and Proverbs (you can read one a day for the month of January).
Three tips to reading your Bible more in the new year:
- Start Small. Reading the whole Bible is a great idea but it can become quite overwhelming if you fall behind a day or two, or even a week. Set small goals with deeper meaning. Pick a few books of the Bible that you want to study throughout the year and dig into better understanding them and their context.
- Use a translation that works for you, one or two that helps you better understand what you are reading. You can even use websites like biblegateway.com to look at multiple translations within seconds.
- Find accountability. Utilize an app that allows you to check off your progress. Find a friend who can text you and check in regarding what you are learning or go through a reading plan or book with a friend. Get together over coffee and discuss the questions that you have and how the reading applies to your life currently.
2. Pray. Every time I meet with a student, I offer to pray for the student. Over the years I’ve had several ask, “What is prayer?” My simplest answer is: it is a conversation with God and keeps me relationally connected to Him through communication. In order for any relationship to thrive, there needs to be communication. God is there waiting and listening for you to talk to him. Prayer is one of the most powerful tools that we fail to use.
3. Serve. Most resolutions are “me” focused and while it can be great to spend less, save more, and lose weight, it is also good to have a resolution that is others-focused. There are so many ways that you can serve in the church or your community. Volunteer at the local food bank, offer to buy a meal for a homeless person, or make and keep readiness bags in your car (crackers, water, dollar or two, and hygiene supplies). Contact our local outreach department for more opportunities to serve.