As I think about the start of the new year it is easy for me to get excited at the new. It feels so fresh and good, a chance for a new start; although I don’t know why, because it’s just another flip of the calendar page. I think about all of the things I would like to do differently in 2024, and about the things I need to work on. But the thing is that nothing miraculous happens on this date of January 1st to make things different than they were last year. Every year, I think of resolutions I should make: workout 3 times a week, lose weight, eat healthier, be more organized, stay on top of filing, study God’s word more, etc. In years past, while my intentions are good, I start out strong and then fade as each day, week or month passes. I have good intentions but ultimately over time most of those resolutions fall by the wayside. Don’t get me wrong, there are some years I do better on one thing or another, but not them all.

As I look back and ponder 2023, I think to myself that I actually have grown and changed a lot in this past year. I haven’t necessarily kept the resolutions that I wanted to do, but I have changed in ways I honestly never thought were possible and found more gratitude, peace and serenity in every day. Now that’s something to celebrate and those changes made it easier for me to make other changes that reduce my stress and frustration. Yet I don’t think that those changes are anything that I did myself, I think they are all founded on me surrendering and learning to ‘let go and let God.’  It seems the change in me has nothing to do with my hard work, effort or plans, but rather in my willingness to offer it all to Him.

What’s interesting to me is that I thought that I was laying down my life for Him and surrendered since I gave my life to Him.  However, I now know that I was mostly trying to make my own way based on my will and my desires, which left me weary and exhausted. I have the awareness that while the miracle of God making me a new creation did happen the moment I accepted Jesus as my personal savior, I have often chosen to still walk in my old self. It has been a learning and growing process to walk in that newness. It doesn’t happen because a new year starts or I make plans to make changes; it comes from what Jesus says in Luke 9:23, dying to myself daily. I didn’t understand that my spirit was made new, but my flesh was not. I now know that I have to choose to get my mind and body in line with my spirit. This side of heaven there will always be a battle, as my flesh and the enemy war to keep me living in the comfortable ways I already know rather than my newness in Christ. 

I now know that to make 2024 a year of more growth and change, regardless of my circumstances, I have to make the choice. Jesus asks me if I want to get well, and I have the choice of how I respond to that question. I can either choose to partner with God in doing His will and doing my part in my healing journey, or I can choose to take the well worn path this year. I know that it is daring to pray and ask God to shape me to look more like Jesus; but I also know that God has an abundant life for me which is so much more than I could ever possibly imagine for myself.

Practice for Today

This coming year I will watch with expectancy to see what it is that God is going to work on in me and let go of the expectations I will place on myself. I will choose to make only one resolution for 2024; choose to surrender myself daily and seek God’s will. With that in mind, I will pray for an open mind, a willing spirit and a courageous heart to carry out His will. I will continue to ask Him to search me and know my heart to expose anything in me that is not of Him. I will accept my life as it is, myself where I am at and others exactly as they are. I will partner with God in humble submission and watch as He does what only He can and choose to enjoy the journey!

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.