Around the first of every year, gyms fill to the max. People set New Year’s resolutions with the hopes of losing a few pounds, eating healthy, getting a new job, finding their future spouse, starting a family, and more. It seems like the list is endless.
A new calendar year means a fresh start. For some, a disappointing year is finally over while others look back at fond memories. Regardless of the last 365 days, all look ahead with hopes and plans for a more successful next year. Unfortunately, controllable and uncontrollable circumstances will cause many to quickly break their resolutions. For most, this year will end similarly to the previous year … proving this is a cycle of disappointments and fresh starts that never fully satisfies.
As fallen humans, we inevitably fail at our best-laid plans.
We set lofty goals only to see them crash and burn. We place our hopes on meeting the right person or making the correct life decision, and we end up immensely disappointed. Life cannot be fully lived by placing our dreams on the outcomes of finite goals.
The Bible is abundantly clear on the ways of the world. New Year’s resolutions are not evil in their concept, but they do capture the attention and focus of so many Christians.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” -1 John 2:15-16
This Scripture reminds us that when we set goals for the new year, we should ask ourselves, “What is the purpose behind this desire?”
What if instead of health, career, and family goals, we reset the calendar with aims that speak loudly the purpose of the Kingdom? Can we declare to the world what hopes we have for the new year?
To that end, here are a few questions to ask when setting Kingdom goals:
1. Does my goal push forward the Great Commission?
As followers of Jesus, we are all tasked with making disciples. Challenge yourself to share the gospel in your spheres of influence. As the Lord prompts your heart, make a time-sensitive goal to respond. For example, “I will take a Bible to my neighbors by the end of January.”
2. Does my goal seek to encourage others?
The world tells us that our goals are about us—our aspirations, our desires, our bodies, our lives. What if instead you made resolutions about others? Can you make a goal to pray daily for the unreached people of the world? Can you speak a daily word of encouragement to someone around you?
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” -1 Thessalonians 5:11
Gyms will be full of people trying to build themselves up. In turn, who can you build up this new year?
3. Does my goal compel me to go?
A harsh reality is that each passing year brings more and more people across the globe closer to an eternal separation for their heavenly Father. That means there's an even greater urgency to take the gospel to the furthest, darkest places on the planet.
Everyone has a part to play in the Kingdom story that God is writing in the nations. Challenge yourself to go and take a risk. Take a short-term trip. Learn to share the Gospel—and do it. Be a part of God’s transforming lives forever.
Setting New Year’s Resolutions can be disappointing and exhausting, but they don’t have to be. You can set Kingdom goals that will grow and stretch you further than before this new year.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” -Colossians 3:2