by Happy New Year!
As I begin a new year, I typically take time to review my previous year and examine where I am in several areas of my life. My relationships with God, family and friends, often top the list in my examination. But I also look at my ministry, leadership positions, and opportunity that I have had the past year, to see if I have been a good steward of what I have been given, by God, to do.
Each of us must take time to evaluate where we are spiritually, relationally, physically, financially, and so on, to discover how we can improve, in order to be all that God would have us to be. In fact, I would say that this evaluation needs to happen more often than once a year. Consistently monitoring where I am in the various aspects of my life, is an important part of living life to the fullest.
If you find it a challenge to make resolutions and keep them, let me give you 5 things that I would encourage you to pursue in 2015.
1. Fall in love with God: Every one of us has a unique opportunity to fall in love with a God who is madly in love with us. His desire to have relationship with you is so vast, that He has provided everything necessary to be close to Him. The Word, prayer, worship, service, and giving, all provide that opportunity to draw close in your relationship with Him. Do what it takes to fall deeper in love with God and He will become the center of your life!
2. Hold relationships closer: Family and friends are the spice of life and provide you with the tangible support you need to enjoy life. These relationships should never be taken for granted, but cherished as the gifts that they are. Take time to encourage others and you will find that it will be reciprocated, many times over.
3. Look for opportunity: Everyone has opportunities that are within reach. The difference between those who seize opportunities and those who don’t, is the ability (and guts) to look for and take hold of what could be. Don’t let excuses keep you from exploring opportunity. Life is too short, to not be an adventure.
4. Make a difference: Life can easily become inward focused to the point that depression, discouragement, and loneliness can become the norm for your life. When we begin to look at the needs of others around us, it gives us a balanced perspective on our life challenges. When we look outside of ourselves, and look for ways to make a difference in someone else’s life, it makes a huge difference in ours.
5. Go for it: It is so easy to have the mentality that everything in life will come to us if we simply stay in one place long enough. In the church world we call that waiting on God, but I often wonder if God is not waiting on us to move! Yet the fear of failure is so powerful, that many will be content to do nothing. Take a risk, learn from failure, move forward and seize opportunity. Go for it!
Blessings on your 2015,
Chad
Leave a Reply