“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
Matthew 3:2
With a new year upon us, it’s a great time for fresh starts and new beginnings. Maybe you’ll set new goals or come up with a New Year’s resolution. Maybe you’ll go to the gym or run on the treadmill? Pick up a new book or start a new hobby?
But be careful not to start something new without first stopping something old.
It makes no sense to start working out but not change your diet. Pizza and pushups just don’t mix.
Like most things, it’s much easier said than done. As the saying goes, old habits die hard.
The same is true when changing our spiritual habits, too. If you decide to start praying more often but keep worrying about everything, what good is that?
You could stand up right now and go run a marathon, but it’s not recommended. In fact, it would be much easier to accomplish if you put a plan in place for how you would train and prepare your body each day before the big race. Good habits take time to form. It’s a process!
The Bible is very clear—for your benefit and mine, in preparation for Jesus’ arrival (new life), John the Baptist said we must repent (turn away) from our sins (old life). If you hope to experience new results, new relationships, and much-needed restoration in the new year ahead, you must allow God to change the way you think, speak, and act!
When we sin—and we all do (Romans 3:23)—what good is it to simply “feel bad” about what you’ve done but not change your behavior? Christ died so you could be reconciled (reconnected) back to God. For all those who put their faith in him, he has promised new and everlasting life!
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17
So as this new year begins, and as you look for a fresh start, remember this: God loves you just the way you are, but he wants to lead you in a new direction. Trust him. There’s new life ahead!
Reflection:
- What new spiritual habit is God inviting you to start this year? (Prayer, daily scripture reading, serving, fasting, weekly worship, quiet time, etc.)
- What is your plan for starting and sustaining this new habit?
- Who will you share your plan with so they can offer encouragement and accountability?
- Before you start anything new, ask God to reveal something you need to stop. What is it? With God’s help, stop it.